Dance company study in contrasts

Suzie Harrison

It’s good to have Tod A. Kubo back to direct and choreograph “Black &

White,” Laguna Beach Dance Company’s summer dance performance at 8

p.m. tonight.

“I was in New York for a year working; I had some great

professional opportunities to pursue and took a sabbatical,” Kubo

said.

Kubo started Laguna Beach Dance Company at the high school 10

years ago this fall.

Professional faculty choreographers include Mychelle Perez and

Teresa Avina. Collin Rand is a guest choreographer and Laguna Beach

High School alumnae Shaylen Keller is a guest teacher.

The summer conservatory is in its seventh year. Students work

intensely on different types of dance, eight hours a day for four

weeks, which results in their summer performance.

“The ‘Black & White’ concert has everything from classical ballet,

jazz, modern and lyrical dance,” Kubo said. “That’s what they’re

focusing on.”

He said the theme isn’t about costume or sets; it’s the contrast

between emotions.

“Black is more of an intense, dark interpretation of a dance --

movements are more sharp and rigid, more athletic,” Kubo said.

White stands for something more pure and light in general, Kubo

said.

“In dance terms, it has happier characterization, more flowing

movement, more joyful and peaceful dance,” Kubo said.

Kubo uses the theme to teach students how to characterize through

dance, which is his main objective -- rather than just giving a

technique and picking apart what isn’t in terms of faults and what is

wrong.

“It gives them some kind of analogy of how to interpret dance,”

Kubo said.

Twenty-two students are enrolled in the summer program.

All levels train together in the summer program.

Katie Bing, 17, has been with the dance company for four years and

is president of the dance council.

Bing said the summer conservatory is an excellent way to stay in

top shape. She also gets the opportunity to meet and get to know the

new freshmen dancers.

“For this show we wanted pointe, ballet, jazz, lyrical and totally

modern pieces,” Bing said.

“Black & White” will be performed at 8 p.m. tonight at Laguna

Beach High School’s Dance Studio Theatre, (not the Artists’ Theatre).

Tickets are $10. For information or tickets, call (949) 497-7771.