History - Educational (1990)
Lecture Demonstration Performances

History | History Text | History Posters | 1990 | Educational
Rosslyn Heights Lecture Demonstration (1990)

Speakers: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic, Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Dancers: Chara Huckins, Sarah Hudelson, Michael Larkin, Elizabeth A. Miklavcic, Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Location: Rosslyn Heights Elementary School, Salt Lake City, Utah
Length: 20:14 minutes
Description
The principal of Rosslyn Heights Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah had contacted Another Language Performing Arts Company to give a lecture demonstration/assembly on civic responsibility for the first day of school. Company dancers who participated were Michael Larkin, Sarah Hudelson, Chara Huckins, Elizabeth and Jimmy Miklavcic.

The presentation started with an audience participation to get the children moving and release a little energy before asking them to sit still for the rest of the time. Elizabeth led them in a series of directed movements ending with them sitting back down, hands over their mouths, having learned from experience that when you get the children excited, you also have to get them to settle down before moving on to the next activity.

Next was an improvisation where Jimmy and Chara demonstrated, in movement, the trouble that is manifested when people don't cooperate. Then Michael and Sarah showed what can be done when people cooperate and work with each other. Then Jimmy and Chara come back out, trying cooperation. The children's responses can be heard when Jimmy and Chara do some pretty cool movements when they work together.

Music for Bubble Biters was next in the program, this piece was included as a humorous way to show the children that it is alright to think and act differently. Seeing adults being seriously silly is important for children. The final dance was Plax Attax, another work that incorporates absurdity to make a larger point. This dance is about being aware of the plastic bottles people are using, and that everyday objects have potential to be used differently. The children were fascinated by the spinning tops falling down the stage steps at the end of the dance.

Rosslyn Heights was a small, neighborhood elementary school with the smaller class sizes that everyone talks about achieving. Because of its size, it was closed in 2004 and the students absorbed into larger schools.