Alison M. Friedman to Present 2008 Selma Jeanne Cohen Lecture at 31st Annual Fulbright Association Conference in Beijing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

             WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 13, 2008) -- The Fulbright Association announced today that Alison M. Friedman, general manager of Parnassus Productions, Inc., will present the 2008 Selma Jeanne Cohen Lecture in International Dance Scholarship on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Days Hotel and Suites, Beijing, China.  Ms. Friedman was international director of the Beijing Modern Dance Company from 2005 until 2008 when she was hired by Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun to be manage his production company. 

            Ms. Friedman will discuss the development of modern dance in China in the context of domestic economic forces and market pressures from abroad.  Her research examines the evolving Chinese performing arts context and explores forces that are encumbering the development of modern dance in China.  She will also offer observations for what must happen for a homegrown modern dance “genius” to develop in China.

             “Six years ago, the Fulbright Program invested in my interest in modern dance in China. Thanks to that investment, I, in turn, have dedicated over half a decade to working with Chinese artists as a producer, choreographer, and fellow performer.  I have also written and lectured about modern dance in China,” Ms. Friedman said.  “I am thrilled and honored to be able to share my work with the attendees of the Fulbright Association 31st Annual Conference thanks to the Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund.” 

            Ms. Friedman arrived in Beijing in 2002 on a Fulbright fellowship to research the development of modern dance in China. She has worked as a consultant for the U.S. Embassy in China, for Columbia University, for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and for other dance and theatre companies touring China. She has produced international performance festivals in Beijing and was production coordinator for the John F. Kennedy Center 2005 Festival of China.  Ms. Friedman has collaborated with companies throughout China including the Living Dance Studio and the National Theatre Company of China.  She choreographed and directed a production of Igor Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat, which premiered at the China National Theatre East Pioneer Theatre.

             Dr. Selma Jeanne Cohen, preeminent dance historian and founding editor of the International Encyclopedia of Dance, endowed the dance lecture at the Fulbright Association’s annual conference to highlight dance scholarship in a multidisciplinary, international forum.  Previous lecturers are Leslie Friedman, the Lively Foundation, San Francisco (2000); Robin Marshall Grove, University of Melbourne, Australia (2001); Gretchen Ward Warren, University of South Florida (2002); Wayne B. Kraft, Eastern Washington University and the Erdély (Dance) Ensemble (2003); London-based Millicent Hodson, dance historian and choreographer (2004); Richard Semmens, University of Western Ontario, Canada (2005); and Barbara Browning, New York University (2006). 

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