GayDelanghe

Gay Delanghe - In Memoriam

August 2, 2006

Gay Delanghe, age 65, died in the early hours, Tuesday, August 1, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. A leading Michigan artist, Gay Delanghe was central to the development of modern dance in Michigan for over four decades. She was a charismatic and brilliant dancer who performed with seminal and avant-garde modern dance companies; a masterful choreographer whose work was produced nationally and internationally; and a deeply inspiring teacher for generations of dancers. A loving and challenging mentor, Gay played a central role in shaping the lives of her many students, colleagues and friends, who sustain a profound respect for her wisdom, humor, enormous energy, and spectacular dancing. A truly beloved teacher, dancer, choreographer, mentor, and friend, Gay was affectionately known by her colleagues as “Legs Delanghe.”

A Full Professor at the University of Michigan, Delanghe had the longest tenure as a Dance Department faculty member of anyone, building the department into a nationally renowned and distinguished dance program. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Delanghe attended Cass Technical High School, and received her early dance training in ballet with Sandra Severo. She received her BS and MA from the University of Michigan, continuing her dance studies at the UM with Esther Pease and Jeanne Parsons Bostian. Upon graduation, Professor Delanghe moved to New York City, where she worked as a principal dancer with Lucas Hoving, touring nationally and internationally. She continued Hoving’s legacy, setting some of his signature works on companies and in college dance departments for the past twenty years. During her decade in New York, she also performed in the works of Yvonne Rainer, Janet Soares, Sandra Genter and other New York choreographers; taught dance full-time at Barnard College; and presented her works on the Dance Uptown Series, at Dance Theater Workshop, and on the Choreoconcert Series at the New School. In the summers, she taught at the American Dance Festival in New London, Connecticut. In 1974, she returned to the UM, as a faculty member in the newly formed Department of Dance.

Delanghe began teaching at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in the 1970’s, and served as chair of the modern dance program there from 1979 – 1999, training hundreds of young, talented dancers. She taught at the Centre Formation Professional de Danse in Poitiers, France, and the University of Quebec during her sabbatical leaves. She received numerous awards and honors, including a Michigan Artist Award from the Arts Foundation of Michigan, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Dance Council, and and Arts Achievement Award from Wayne State University. She was a founding member of Ann Arbor Dance Works, formed in 1984, and presented her choreography with them nationally and internationally. She also choreographed regularly for the University of Michigan Dance Company. She received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Michigan Council for the Arts, the Arts Foundation of Michigan, and many sources within the UM. A master of her craft, her dances were filled with invention, wit, and vitality and were at turns sardonic, ironic and thought provoking. She always brought a keen sense of design and musicality to her dances.

Ms. Delanghe is survived by her beloved mother, Lenore Delanghe of Clinton Township, Michigan; her aunt and uncle Gloria and Earl Stopp; her uncle Bill Kelsey; numerous cousins; and many other relatives and close friends. Her father August Delanghe preceded her in death. A devoted daughter and a true friend and mentor to many, Gay had an enormous following and a wide circle of close friends and relatives who surrounded her during her illness and death. Her friendship and artistry will always be cherished. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Delanghe Endowment Fund, University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Development Office, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2085.

Andrew Arrington wins CBS series "My Broadway Debut"

June 2006

Senior Andrew Arrington was named a winner of the CBS series “My Broadway Debut.” The series featured 10 performers from musical theatre programs at universities from around the country competing for a walk-on role in the Broadway smash, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The winners, chosen by viewers who voted online on Friday, were announced this morning on CBS’ The Early Show.

The winners performed a duet from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels live on the air this morning and will be featured in a segment documenting their experiences as they prepare for their Broadway debut. “Scoundrels’” stars Jonathan Pryce and Lucie Arnaz were on hand for the celebration.

The Early Show, in conjunction with The League of Broadway Theatres and Producers, and Actors Equity, sponsored the competition. Each day during the week of May 29, two aspiring stars auditioned live on the program, singing an excerpt from a current Broadway show. Performers from each of the shows represented assisted the students in their preparation and appeared on-air as part of the segment.

Watch Andrew make his Broadway Debut on CBS.

Musical Theatre students to participate in CBS series "My Broadway Debut"

May 2006

For many musical theatre students, the road to Broadway is long and paved with many, many auditions. For two University of Michigan students however, there is a shortcut. Musical Theatre majors Cortney Wolfson and Andrew Arrington have been selected to participate in “My Broadway Debut” a weeklong series on CBS News' The Early Show.

The series is an on-air theatrical competition featuring 10 performers (5 actors, 5 actresses) who are vying for a limited engagement in the current Broadway hit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

A Broadway casting director visited musical theatre programs at five schools (The University of Michigan, Northwestern, Arizona State University, Florida State University and Wagner College) in April for the auditions. A male and a female performer were selected to represent each school.

Beginning Monday, May 29, for five days, the finalists will perform live alongside a Broadway actor or actress, currently appearing in a Broadway musical (who will either perform, speak lines, or provide context for the performance). At the end of the week, viewers will be asked to go online to vote for their favorite male and female finalist. The segments will most likely run in the final half hour of The Early Show broadcast.

Online voting at The Early Show website runs from 9:00 ET to midnight on Friday, June 2, 2006.

The two winners will be revealed on Monday, June 5th, and showcased in another live performance. The Early Show will then document the Broadway experience of each winning performer with a behind-the-scenes segment detailing their debut.

Senior Cortney Wolfson, is a native of Lafayette, Indiana. She was Indiana Junior Miss in 2003 and 2nd Runner-Up to America's Junior Miss. She will perform on Monday, May 29 singing “Take Me Out” from Rent.

Senior Andrew Arrington is originally from Chicago. He can be seen throughout the year as a television personality on Wolv-TV's Entertainment Buzz. Andrew will appear on Thursday, June 1 performing “Run and Tell That” from Hairspray.

Click here to visit the CBS' The Early Show.

UM Regents approve new name - School of Music, Theatre & Dance

April 2006

By Joanne Nesbit
News Service

As the School of Music comes to the end of its 125th anniversary celebration year, it does so with a new drama center underway and a new name: the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

The Board of Regents March 17 approved the name—one that encompasses all three essential disciplines of the school. These programs continue U-M's heritage as a leading school of performing arts with internationally recognized faculty, world-renowned performance facilities and a diverse student population. The name will be effective July 1.

"For more than two decades Michigan has had, in practice, a School of Music, Theatre & Dance, with each artistic branch pursuing both applied and academic aspects," Dean Christopher Kendall said. "As we reach the end of our 125th anniversary celebration, we feel that this is the appropriate moment to change the name of the school, looking forward to a new century of collaborative and dynamic performing arts education at U-M."

Yet, this is not the first name change for the school that began in 1890 as the Ann Arbor School of Music, and in 1892 became the University School of Music under the umbrella of the University Musical Society. It was incorporated into U-M in 1929, and in 1940 became the U-M School of Music. By 1976, the Dance Department became a part of the school, followed by the addition of the Theatre Department in 1984.

Through its history, the school has been considered one of the finest for performing arts in the country, Kendall said. Such excellence allows the school to enroll more than 1,000 students and employ a faculty of 120 full-time and 20-30 part-time members and more than 70 staff. In a typical academic year, the school presents more than 400 concerts and recitals, 10 fully staged opera performances, musical theatre and dance productions, and numerous semi-staged workshop productions, master classes and lectures.

"While each part of the school is an entity with its own curriculum and focus, the nature of the work in all three areas is increasingly collaborative," Kendall said. "As theatrical and dance elements take on greater importance in musical endeavors, and as music plays a greater role in theatre, and as our students bring a greater appetite for collaborative art, this new name recognizes the fundamental importance of the three elements in the performing arts process."

Carillon and Organ Take Center Stage at Ann Arbor Summer Festival June 2006

Bolcom, Kittel honored at Detroit Music Awards May 2006

U-M raises curtain on Arthur Miller Theatre design April 2006

Theatre student Colin Miller selected to stage manage for The American College Theatre Festival February 2006

Senior Carol Jantsch wins Principal Tuba position with the Philadelphia Orchestra February 2006

Music Recorded on Block M Records Now Available at the iTunes Music Store March 2006

William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience wins four Grammy Awards February 9, 2006

Professor Mary Simoni publishes book February 2006

New York City Ballet Names Bright Sheng First-ever Composer in Residence January 2006

School of Music and University Musical Society to Host the Steinway “Peace” Piano January 2006

Michigan Theatre students win at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region III January 2006

2006 School of Music Concerto Competition Winners January 2006