University of Nebraska Omaha - Tomahawk / Gateway Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

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Left to right: Pat Cosford, Sue Yetter, Ruth Waschinek, Jean Madden, Ann McTaggert, Jean Janzan, Joan Olsen, Jane Engle- hardt, Janet Dugdale, Pat Vorel, Alyce Beachler, Frances Downey, Laura Dopita, Bonnie Coleman. Not pictured: Pat Kavan, Ruth Longville, Laya Edgar, Derelle Blumer, Cherie Alderman. ORCHESIS Modern Dance Group Modern dance is a means of artistic communi- cation which makes use of the whole body in expressive movement. It includes training and conditioning, so that the body will be able to respond to the dancer ' s demands. This increas- ingly creative communication is embodied in Or- chesis, the selective, honorary modern dance group on campus. Under the sponsorship of Miss Mary Lou Nieb- ling, Orchesis has participated not only in week- ly dance instruction, but also in such things as an Indian dance during Homecoming half-time ceremonies and a specialty number, The Street Scene, in the first annual Sport Show at Tech High. The Spring Dance Concert made up of modern dance, was initiated as an annual program. Other special appearances during the year in- cluded a dance recital performed for the Nor- folk Women ' s Club, and a show on the TV Class- room series. Serving as officers for 1952-53 were Alyce Beachler, president; Joan Olsen, secretary; and Derelle Blumer, publicity director. Since modernism is the popular trend, Orchesis is finding more of a place for itself on campus. 13

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Bonnie Coleman dances to Artistry in Blue A composite of European folk ancJ court dances Orchesis presented Dance Through the Ages as their Spring Concert at the University Auditorium on April 25, 1952. The program was divided into two distinct parts, the first depicting the history of dance and the second being an abstract interpretation of the mind of an unstable young girl. The first part of the program showed the styles of the primitives, Greeks, European folk dancers, and European court dancers. The polished gestures of the aristocratic dances were expressed in the Pavane, Gigue, Sarabande, and the Minuet. Dancing in the American style was shown in the American Folk Suite, , which mcluded three parts. Prayer in De Key was danced by Jean Janzan and sung by Terry Young. The melancholy mood of Allentown Jail was danced by Alyce Beachler to the singing of Helen Tiahrt. Terry Young again sang wh.le Beverly Brandt danced Honor, Honor. Bonnie Coleman danced to Artistry m Blue by Stan Kenton to explain the development of progres- sive music. r » The second part of the program presented Jane Englehardt, who played the port of a person unable to accept the challenge of reality while the other Orchesis members showed the working of her mind, her problems and the resulting indecision from her instability. Finally at the depth of her despair her remembrances and then her dreams gave her hope of what migtit still possibly be gained. 12

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The Get out and vote campaign in- spired by the national interest in the presidential elections, increased the num- ber of voters in the OU elections of 1952. Posters and people dressed in cos- tumes, plus the pleas of Igor the Great Done, swayed the students to the follov - ing decisions. The new Student Council members were seniors Ray Hampton, Irv Jones, Syntho Judd, and Marilyn Sibert; juniors Larry Brehm, Merlyn Fratt, Derelle Blumer, and Phyllis Wilke; sopho- mores Jerry Tannahill, Gerald Welling, Joanne Gross, and Joan Willey. Fresh- men Council members were elected in the fall. The two new elected members of the Board of Student Publications were Jo- anne Larkin and Burt McMillan. Though the secret was kept until Ma-ie Day, Gloria Johnson had been elected Princess Attira XVIII. A special write-in vote showed that the students were favorable to the proposed Student Union though it was still very much in the planning stage. 14