The Moving Company is the University of Nebraska at Omaha's modern dance performing group. It is under the auspices of the The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences and the School of Health and Kinesiology.
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Founded in 1935 and directed by Ruth Diamond (Levinson), it was a chapter of Orchesis, a nationwide honorary club for modern dance. Dr. Aileene Lockhart, Dr. Vera Lundahl, Prof. Josie Metal-Corbin, and Danielle Laurion have also directed the Company over the past eighty-five years.
At times during the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, the University of Omaha’s Women’s Physical Education Department and the Drama Department generously provided faculty sponsorship. This legacy distinguishes the company as one of the oldest university modern dance companies in continuous existence in the United States of America. In 1973, the group changed its name to The Moving Company.
In accordance with its mission to re-stage historical pieces as well as to create new works, the Company has performed dances by renowned choreographers Donald McKayle, Anna Sokolow, and David Parsons through the resources of the American Dance Legacy Institute.
It has performed works by modern dance pioneers Charles Weidman, Doris Humphrey, and Isadora Duncan under the guidance of the late New York director and dance artist, Carol Mezzacappa. Since 2000, the company has focused on site-specific work and community engagement endeavors and has sponsored African Dance and Drumming, International Folk Dance, Dance for Persons with Parkinson’s and Ballroom Dance.
In 2001, The Moving Company won a second place award in Theatre Dance and gained international recognition at the Dance Grand Prix Italia 2001. In 2008, the Company received the Omaha Entertainment Academy Award for Best Local Dance Production. Annually, the Company presents a salon, studio production, or formal modern dance concert.
Audition
The Moving Company welcomes UNO students and dancers from the community to audition. Please view our audition information. For more information contact
Ms. Danielle Laurion, Director of the Moving Company, at the School of Health and Kinesiology at 402.554.2670.
Check out these videos from The Moving Company:
Archival Montage 1935-2015 accompanied by UNO's Jazz Combo 1