GENESEO, N.Y. – For 48 years, the dance studies program has sponsored Guest Artists in Residence, hosting exceptional performers – often alumni – on campus to share their talents and knowledge with Geneseo students. This year’s guest artist, Norwood Pennewell ’80, will be featured in a variety of events throughout November.
Pennewell will kick off his visit on Nov. 11 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. as the All-College Hour speaker.
As a guest artist, he will also be “creating new works or restaging historic works for the Geneseo Dance Ensemble.” Rehearsals for “Creating New Dance” will take place occur on Nov. 11, 12, 15, 21 and 22 in Brodie Hall 152. The Nov. 11 time is 5:30–9 p.m., the Nov. 12 time is 5–8 p.m., and the other three dates have times of 12–5 p.m.
In addition to his work with GDE, Pennewell will be hosting an All-College Hour Master Dance Class event from 2:30-3:30, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Office of Student Life, Office of Multicultural Programs, dance studies program and Orchesis.
Pennewell became a member of the world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance company in 1978 and currently serves as not only a performer and company/master class teacher, but as Rehearsal Director and assistant to Fagan.
The critically-acclaimed Fagan is particularly well-known for his Broadway work on Disney’s “The Lion King,” for which he won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Choreography. Pennewell has assisted Fagan with both “The Lion King” and the New York City Ballet 50th Anniversary Ellington project.
With his outstanding performances in GFD, Pennewell also received the 1988 New York Performance “Bessie” Award and has been featured on “Great Performances,” “The Tonight Show” and in Duke Ellington’s Queenie Pie. In 1994, Pennewell performed in the 66th Annual Academy Awards presentation.
Pennewell’s choreographic works include “Hylozoic,” “Liminal Flux,” “Gin” and “After Hours,”––all done in the span of 2010–2014.
As such an accomplished Geneseo alum, Pennewell clearly demonstrates the rewards of hard work and pursuing one’s passions.
News release written by College Communications intern Megan Tomaszewski.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
Media Relations Director
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu