Ten WSU dance students will perform at the opening gala of New York City’s Complexions Contemporary Ballet at the Joyce Theatre on Nov. 21. Wayne State is the first university invited to perform with Complexions, the nation's preeminent theatre for contemporary dance. 

“For a pre-professional dancer, there is no higher honor or better experience,” said John Wolf, chair of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance. “This is a highlight of our program.”

The students will perform a 22-minute piece called “Hissy Fits,” which was created by Dwight Rhoden, co-founder and artistic director of Complexions and — according to the New York Times – “one of the most sought after choreographers of the day.”  

The honor came about because of the growing relationship with the founders of Complexions and Wayne State. Rhoden served as artist in-residence at WSU late this summer, and Complexions recently offered a summer intensive at Wayne State.

“I’m extremely proud of how hard our students have worked, both to earn this honor and to prepare for it,” said Meg Paul, the ballet lecturer who has coached the students on their performance.