Dances from Rumi is a collection of over ten repertory works each inspired by one of Rumi's poems. The translations of this poetry are selected from the work of renowned Rumi scholars Coleman Barks, Andrew Harvey, Kabir and Camille Helminski and Shahram Shiva. Rumi is currently the most widely read poet in the United States. The poetry of this 13th century poet is still having an impact on our modern world because of the layered and multi-dimensional images of Rumi's poetry.

Night	A Contemplative solo exploring the mystery and wonder of the night sky.
	Original score by Bruce Detrick (10 minutes)
After	An acutely simple solo, this dance portrays the path to acceptance.
	Music: Japanese Shakuhachi flute, (5 minutes)
Doorways	Exploring the possibilities and doorways of life, this work investigates the passages and portals of relationship. This work is for 5 dancers.
	Original score by Bruce Detrick (7 minutes)
Arbor	As trees standing strong and generous even in the midst of their own destruction, 9 dancers expose human greed and its impact on the environment.
	Music: Arvo Part. (15 minutes)
There is a Field	Longing for union, the duet revolves around the timeless connection of souls, a place beyond boundaries.
	Music: Prelude #4 in D Major by Rachmaninoff (5 minutes)
Returning	A beautiful exploration of meeting and returning. Seven dancers move as part of the same river.
	Music: Leonard Cohen, performed by Roberta Flack. (5 minutes)
Galaxies	Eleven dancers spiral as stars drawn together like gravity culminating in the Sufi practice of whirling.
	Music: Morten Lauridsen (11 minutes)
Kissing	A joyful romp, this series of solos and duets plays with the infinite, and sometimes humorous, qualities of beauty.
	Music: Bach Suite #3 in C Major. (12 minutes)
Courage	Inspired by the incredible story of renowned World War II spy Madeline, whose impact was crucial in overthrowing the German regime. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross and the Croix de Guerre with Gold Star. This dance narrative is a tribute to her strength, extraordinary compassion, and courage. This work is for 1 soloist and 4 dancers.
	Original score composed and performed by Beth Craig and Akal Dev Sharonne. Narration performed by in English and Farsi by Shahram Shiva. (15 minutes)

An evening of music and dance improvisation

'Rumidance: This is Now', a full concert program, is a uniquely American celebration of the 13th century Persian mystic poet, Jelaluddin Rumi. Dancer and choreographer Robin Becker along with cellist Eric Edberg, flutist Akal Dev Sharonne and actor/director John McManus come together to respond to Rumi's poetry through the spoken text, improvised and choreographed dance and a melding of classical and contemporary music. Rumi's poetry addresses the need to live fully in the moment, accepting and celebrating the joys, the contradictions and mysteries of life. In the spirit of Rumi, these four accomplished artists create a performance that captures the essence of 'now'.

Eric Edberg	Erik is a classical and improvising cellist and hand drummer. He was trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Juilliard, and Peabody. His teachers included Leonard Rose and Bernard Greenhouse. In addition to his classical performance career and teaching at the DePauw University School of Music, he frequently leads self-expression workshops and drum circles.
Akal Dev Sharonne	Akal Dev has appeared as soloist with the Boston Pops, with Clarion Concerts, and with orchestras in New York and Massachusetts. She has improvised in concert with Paul Winter, David Darling, and Paul Horn, and has appeared in Rumi performances at the Joyce Soho Theater in New York City and in Chapel Hill with Coleman Barks. She is the Co-Artistic Director of the Columbia Chamber Players.
John McManus	John is originally from Australia. He works as an actor, teacher, and director and is certified in Eurhythmy. He has directed plays by Chekhov, Shakespeare, Wilder, Miller, Shaw, Ionesco, and others. Recent acting roles includes Prospero in The Tempest, King Cymbeline in Cymbeline, Duncan in Macbeth (Shakespeare Alive!) The Snow Goose, (Solo performance) and Rumi With a View, (Columbia Chamber Players). He was a founding member and artistic director of Walking the Dog Theater before founding Shakespeare Alive!, an actors' training center in Kinderhook, New York.

Other Selected Works

Naming
	A response to Native American culture and its near destruction, this work evolves in sections: Before, Naming, Chaos, Forms, Shadows, and Circles. Danced by the entire company, it is a testament to the struggle of spirit against relentless odds. Performed in full (37 minutes) or as the opening self-contained duet (15 minutes), which delves into the mystery, and evolution of the male/female relationship.
Original score composed by Valerie Naranjo as well as live or recorded music (15-40 minutes)
Cathedrals of Time
	Surrealistic in quality, this work examines differing perceptions and experiences of time. The work is based on the book Einstein's Dream, by novelist and physicist Alan Lightman.
Recorded music of Armand Amar and of Tibetan Bowls (10 minutes)
The Arms of Darkness
	This work developed from the mythological theme of the descent to the underworld as a rite of passage. The choreography explores and embraces the light and dark aspects of the feminine principle. A duet comprised of women.
Live or taped music with original voice score by Tiye Giraud. (15 minutes)
Kindred
	Inspired by the communal and ritual behavior of elephants and by Ganesh, the Hindu elephant deity, this work is both powerful and emotional. Danced by three women and two men to a score composed by Tiye Giraud.
Live or recorded music (25 minutes)
Landing
	Inspired by a dream of celestial messengers delivering a soul to earth. This trio becomes a dynamic exploration of the struggle to rise and birth new life. The work is structured in three sections and is performed to an original score composed by Scott Steidl.
Recorded music. (15 minutes)
Drinking From My Bowl Of Green Tea, I Stopped The War
	A juxtaposition of the power of contemplative life in the face of war and destruction, this work for 15 dancers is to an original score composed by Matthew Ferry.
Recorded and live music. (17 minutes)
Weaving
	Explores the intimacy, interconnectedness and mutual support of three women, drawing from the ancient native mythology of spinning and weaving.
Recorded music of John Adams. (11 minutes)
Autumn
	A solo inspired by the paintings of autumn leaves by Georgia O'Keefe. The work explores the beauty, loss, and cyclical return of the fall season.
Original score by Eric Edberg. (7 minutes)
Prayer
	A meditative solo based on a Rodin sculpture, danced by Ms. Becker to the music of Anton Dvorak.
Recorded music. (7.5 minutes)
Branching Waters
	A sweeping lyrical work for seven dancers set to the music of Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto. Romantic and full of feeling.
Recorded Music (17 minutes)