"Missa Brevis" portrays the united spirit of people working together to rebuild their community. José Limón choreographed the dance immediately upon return from his company’s 1957 U.S. State Department sponsored tour to Europe which included Poland. Impressed with the ability of the Polish people to maintain their vitality and spirit despite the tragedy of living in a war-torn country, Limón created the dance as a celebration of the group. First performed April 11, 1958, at The Juilliard School of Music, New York, New York by the José Limón Dance Company, Missa Brevis was directed for the Autumn 2023 Concert: Gathering by Mara Frazier, Valarie Williams (Ohio State dancers) and Julie Brodie (Kenyon College dancers) from Labanotation scores by Barbara Katz with Judy Lasko (1973) and Ray Cook (1966) by arrangement with the Dance Notation Bureau, Inc. NY, NY.
These performances were part of the project "Missa Brevis: site of displacement, immigration, community" that engages with artists and scholars from urban and rural communities in Ohio. The cast and directors came together to unpack the life of Mexican immigrant Limón and his legacy on U.S. society through the investigation of primary source materials in University Libraries Special Collections, the translation of two Labanotation scores to embodied movement, teaching, and conversations, along with the residency of José Limón Dance Foundation artistic director Dante Puleio. "Missa Brevis’" message about the ravages of war and subsequent restoration is at the forefront of the tour in central Ohio as the performance and panels engage communities at Kenyon College, Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center and the Memorial Theatre in Knox County.
The project was supported in part by the following: The Ohio State University: Department of Dance Chair’s Discretionary Fund, the Polish Studies Initiative, Dance Preservation Fund, College of Arts and Sciences Dean of Arts and Humanities Engagement Fund, and University Libraries Dean’s Discretionary Fund. Kenyon College Office of Community Engaged Partnerships and the Department of Dance, Drama and Film at Kenyon College. Boosey and Hawkes Music Publishing; The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc., NY, NY; Dance Notation Bureau, Inc., NY, NY.
Photos by Jodi Miller
