Dance Theatre

Katie Santilli could have ended up being one of the most graceful pig farmers in Maryland.The Dayton 12-year-old hasn't lost her interest in swine, she's chosen to pirouette to Tchaikovsky rather than slop hogs.This weekend she is playing the lead role in "The Nutcracker" with two members of the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem and earlier this month, she danced other roles with the world-famous Joffrey Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington."It was really fun and exciting. It was wonderful just being up there and watching all the professionals.

Ken Skrzesz has been selected to be the new artistic director of Kinetics Dance Theatre in Ellicott City. Kinetics is the home of Kinetics Dance Company, a professional modern dance company and the Contemporary School of Dance, with a population of about 300.Mr. Skrzesz was suggested by Dorothy Fried, the founder of the organization and 10-year director.Mr. Skrzesz has been with the organization since June 1993 working as managing director while performing as a dancer with the Kinetics Dance Company.

Mark Morris. Pilobolus Dance Theatre. Twyla Tharp's new company. Tap Dogs, from Australia. And a rich variety of ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington.Any way you look at it, the 1996-1997 season promises to be a memorable one for fans of ballet and modern dance in Baltimore and Washington.One of the fall's most interesting dance events is the Mark Morris Dance Group's appearance at the U.S. Naval Academy's Alumni Hall in Annapolis. Morris, once called the enfant terrible of the dance world, will present several of his works and perhaps raise a few eyebrows when he and his company dance Oct. 18-19.

Devotees of the Maryland Ballet may not recognize the company when the curtain comes up on "The Nutcracker" Thursday night. And with good reason -- the troupe they remember is not the one they'll be seeing.Company officials, busy dreaming up a bigger and better production of this seasonal favorite, have imported more than a dozen ballet stars, appropriated a full orchestra, grand staging and the period ambience of the Lyric Opera House in hopes of sending audiences home believing in sugar plum fairies.

WASHINGTON -- Michael Smuin's cinematic, Emmy-winning ballet, "A Song for a Dead Warrior," was the highlight of Dance Theatre of Harlem's opening performance at the Kennedy Center Opera House Tuesday night.Oddly placed as centerpiece between George Balanchine's "Allegro Brillante" and Alvin Ailey's "The River," Mr. Smuin's ballet received a standing ovation from the crowd, impressed with the strong, evocative dancing of Luis Dominguez and Tai Jimenez, and Mr. Smuin's poignant and violent portrayal of the plight of American Indians.

What better way to inaugurate the 10-day Columbia Festival of the Arts than to feature the home-grown talents of the Howard County-based Kinetic Dance Company? Last night's performance at Wilde Lake High School also included the fine talents of an ex-Baltimorean and current member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Gary-David Shaw.Under the artistic direction of Dorothy Fried, this personable troupe has picked up a loyal following and has cultivated some young and very promising dancers. This is a company that has come a long way, and the program's seven dances contained several favorite works from the company's repertoire, including Sharon Wyrrick's "Ooo Baby, Baby," and Alvin Mayes' "Winter Sleep."

At the eighth Scott Joplin Festival at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Eva Anderson's Baltimore Dance Theatre brought together musicians and dancers to celebrate the music of the beloved ragtime composer in a warm and fuzzy evening full of historical facts about dance, music and African-American culture.Unfortunately, unlike past performances, the quality of the dancing was not up to the company's usual high-spirited efforts. The energy level was scattered, and several dancers were obviously under-rehearsed.

For dance fans the holiday season officially opened last night with Maryland Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at the Lyric Opera House. Phillip Carman, artistic director for the company, deserves kudos for bringing together a production that has all the magic and wonder of the season."

Arts organizations get $61,784 from state unitThe Maryland Humanities Council has awarded $61,784 in grants to two dozen state organizations for public humanities programs.The largest grant of $8,743, including $1,200 in matching funds, went to the Dance Department of Goucher College for a lecture/performance series that will examine the cultural, economic and social significance of music and dance in the state from the 17th through the early 20th century. The series is scheduled to be held next spring and fall at four historic locations.

Kinetics Dance Theatre will present two matinee dance performances of the African folk tale, Anansi the Spider is Lost, at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Howard County Center for the Arts. Some audience members will be invited to help play African rhythms along with Columbia composer Jared Denhard, as the story of the trickster Anansi unfolds. Tickets are $5. Reservations are encouraged. Kinetics Dance Theatre is at 3280 Pine Orchard Lane, Ellicott City. Information: 410-480-1686.