Another Language Performing Arts Company

Elizabeth A. Miklavcic - Performance Roles

May 25, 1991 - Another Language On Tour, O.C. Tanner Amphitheater Springdale, Utah

Ignorance of Burden (1991)

Choreographed and Performed by: Elizabeth & Jimmy Miklavcic
Poetry: Mark Neumann
Costuming: Elizabeth & Jimmy Miklavcic
Location: O.C. Tanner Amphitheater, Springdale, Utah
Length: 5:35 minutes

Description Ignorance of Burden was completely inspired by the poetry of Mark Neumann, which was about modern life in the 1980's. Mark's poem focuses on a man just trying to get through each day, as he comments and expounds upon observations of his daily trek through modern life. Elizabeth was the physical representation of the burden or "bag" where the POV of this dance is through Jimmy's character's eyes. He doesn't realize the burdens he is carrying around with him, until he decides to walk away from it, leaving the dead weight of his thoughts and emotional baggage behind.

Choreographed by Elizabeth and Jimmy Miklavcic in 1989, they'd previously worked together on many projects up to this point. Although, this dance was especially challenging to create and perform, because of the constant weight bearing and gymnastic moves. It was exhausting to make, and resulted in a lot of tension during the trial and error development period of choreographing the movement sequences. The timing had to be perfect or someone, mainly Elizabeth, could have been badly hurt.

O.C. Tanner Amphitheater, Springdale, Utah
As part of the Utah Arts Council, Performing Arts Tour Another Language Performing Arts Company was booked by the Zion Canyon Arts and Humanities Council (Z-Arts), Dixie College (now called Utah Tech University), and The Tanner Amphitheater Summer Arts Series, to perform at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater, on May 25, 1991. The town of Springdale is located next to the boundaries of Zion National Park southwest entrance. This theater is surrounded by majestic red rock mountains that create a natural amphitheater. Jimmy had to really project Mark Neumann's poem to be heard in this larger performance venue, as he was not wearing a microphone. Additionally, Elizabeth and Jimmy worked really hard to have the meaning of the dance, usually performed in more intimate settings, communicate to the audience from this larger proscenium stage.