News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Angey Saucier Date: 9/25/03   Click on image for publication quality photo LIGHTNING BOLT - Southeastern Louisiana University’s Danceworks will present “Lightning Bolt: Works That Illuminate” October 1 at the Columbia Theatre. The production, written by Southeastern dance professor Martie Fellom, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Southeastern graduate Michele Cudd will perform one of the evening's works, "An Act of Bravery." SLU DANCEWORKS ADDS FIRE TO FANFARE WITH “LIGHTNING BOLT”       HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Danceworks will contribute a multimedia performance of “Lightning Bolt: Works That Illuminate” to Fanfare, the university’s annual celebration of the arts on October 1.       The free performance, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, was written by Southeastern dance professor Martie Fellom, who says the 60-minute program’s seven dances and films all have a positive message “to lift one’s spirit.”       Premiering in “Lightning Bolt: Works That Illuminate” are one dance number and three films, along with encores of three works of art.       “To Soar” the show opener, features Southeastern students Olivia Bates and Erica Tricou of Hammond, and two students from Holy Ghost Catholic School, Hayley Kropog and Maggie Rownd. Costumes for the first performance are designed by Anna Pfeil, and pointe shoes are by Brenda Perrone.        The night’s first encore presentation, entitled “The Birds Sing For Me,” premiered in 2002. Described by Fellom as “the elegiac of nature, time and wisdom handed down from mother to daughter,” the work is written, directed, and edited by its star, Fellom. Camera work is by Jenna Blasko and Colleen Coy.       Following is “Wish,” winner of the 2002 Gold Award at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival and the Silver Award in the experimental films section of the Crested Butte Reel Fest. Directed by Fellom and written by and featuring Southeastern faculty member Alan Marsh, the film tells a tender hearted tale of a little girl’s birthday wish. Erica Tricou and her mother Becky Wilson, both of Hammond, also star in the ten-minute feature.       Music for Marsh’s feature is by Conor McGibboney of Hammond and director of photography is Southeastern photographer Claude Levet. Sound recording engineer is Brandon Cubis of Nameless and video editor is Devin Broome.       The night’s first feature premiere, “Here Hear,” is described by Fellom as “a piece about the joy of being on this planet, no matter the age.” Performers are Thurman J. Fields of DeRidder, Southeastern artist in residence Larry Gray, visual artist Denise Tullier-Holly, and Southeastern lab school student Erin Short. Music is written by Joaquin Rodrigo and performed by guitarists Patrick Kerber of the Southeastern music department, Chris Devall of Baton Rouge, and Southeastern alumnus Eric Bartlett.       Following is the first showing of “An Act of Bravery,” a project funded by a Southeastern Faculty Development Grant. Narrated by Samuel Richmond of Hammond, Jessica Radecker of Amite and Tonya Prvett of Greensburg, “An Act of Bravery” features the music of McGibboney and the dance talent of Southeastern alumna Michele Cudd. Camera work is by Levet and Southeastern video editor Steve Kleyle, who also edited the piece.       Also showing will be “Turtle Cove Suite,” filmed in 1999 and inspired by the threatened beauty of Louisiana’s Manchac Swamp. The film features Southeastern alumni and dancers Carolyn Fulton, Grace Latino, Alison Maraman, and Jeanne Labourdette. Music is by Stephen Suber, camera by Levet, and editing by Fellom.       Rounding out the one-hour performance is the premiere of “Hope,” featuring a cast of more than 15 dancers. Dancers are Daphne Donaldson of Bogalusa, Dianna Mayel Figueroa and Sarah Pennison of Covington, Kristin Brooke Johnson of Oakdale, Amanda O’Neal of Pride, Stacie Sabathe of Chalmette, Melissa Rodgers Snoddy of Prairieville, Cathryn L. Tynes of Robert, and Lesley Yvonne Washington of New Orleans. Performers are Abagail Bates, Joseph Cetini of Ponchatoula, Alvin “Deuce” Donaldson II of Bogalusa, Brice Nelson and Ricky Nelson of Slidell, Parker Ramirez, Janie Rodgers of Prairieville.       For more information on “Lightning Bolt: Works That Illuminate,” contact Fellom at 985-549-2133. For a brochure, ticket order form or additional information on other Fanfare events, contact Fanfare at 985-543-4366 or email fanfare_ctpa@selu.edu. Information is also available online at www.selu.edu/fanfare. Return to News Releases