Twenty years ago, dance was a franken-major, the love child of physical education and theater arts at Cal State Long Beach and the Carpenter Center was merely a vacant field.
Both the dance department facilities and the Carpenter center are celebrating a 20th anniversary this year. Both created in 1994, CSULB said “yes pliés” to supporting dance and the fine arts for the school and in the community.
Lorin Johnson, a ballet and undergrad advisor, said the opening of the dance center was one of the department’s proudest moments.
“[It] was really unprecedented [to have] a facility for dance training in higher education,” Johnson said.
Michele Roberge, the executive director of the Carpenter Center said it was the first professional quality performing arts center built on a Cal State University campus. Since its creation nine other CSU campuses have jumped on the bandwagon.
“Creating the Carpenter Center provides the ability to create a well-rounded liberal education by giving students the chance to see professionals in their fields,” Roberge said.
Opening the dance center gave the department 93 thousand square-feet to chassé as they please. With a campus permanency, the dance department hosted notable performances, such as Kurt Joos’ “The Green Table” in the early ‘90s. The department was proud to welcome Bill T. Jones’ residency in 2012.
“There are many remarkable stories of internationally acclaimed artists who have come to work at CSULB,” Johnson said.
Roberge said the Carpenter center received its name because of the buckets of money Richard Carpenter threw at the project. Roberge said he donated over $1 million.
Both Richard and Karen Carpenter attended CSULB and some Richard’s children attend school here as well. Roberge said Richard has been very supportive of the education that CSULB provides.
This past spring the department celebrated the anniversary with a concert, titled “20 Years in the Dance Center.” Showcased was the reconstruction of late faculty member, Susan McLain’s piece, “Evening Soul.”
McLain was an original faculty member when the Dance Center first opened. Johnson said McLain passed away from a sudden illness in 2011, and left students and faculty in complete shock.
Johnson said she was “in many ways a guiding force and influential mentor to so many students.”
Kathleen Helm, a master of fine arts dance student, said the 20th anniversary is opportunity to recognize the present and future talent of the department.
“It is humbling to remember the number of talented dancers that have cultivated their talent at CSULB and how many of them have succeeded in the dance field,” Helm said. “I feel especially lucky to be a part of this legacy.”
“2014 is a year for us to reflect on our past and look forward to the future of the Department of Dance,” Johnson said.
The dance department offers bachelors of the arts, bachelors of fine arts, master of the arts and master of fine arts degrees. Johnson said this challenges students to grow and contribute to society as artists and individuals.
“Though we offer varied pathways for our dance majors and minors to interface with the discipline of dance, we strive to challenge them to be their best and to reach their potential,” Johnson said.
Roberge said that what lies ahead for the Carpenter Center is to create opportunities for students to participate in educational opportunities from all disciplines.