Nonstop Flight

Ptero Dance Theater grows into its wings

Comments (0) By Ann Haskins Wednesday, Jul 18 2007

Ptero dancer Shannon Harris (Photo by Carol Petersen)

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When she formed this company in 2004, choreographer Paula Present took her ensemble’s name from the Greek word for flight. Ptero (pronounced “terr-oh”) immediately attracted a group of strong, technically precise performers. From the start the venture took flight, garnering two Lester Horton awards its first year, and since then earning a total of 10 nominations. The young troupe continues to grow into its wings with these performances spotlighting Present’s newest choreography, The Frame of Mind, which considers the difficult search for enlightenment amid thorny issues of ignorance, intolerance and interpersonal as well as global conflict. Scheduled repertoire works include In the Forest, inspired by Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, and the impressive solo The Unfolding. Dancers include Delyer Anderson, Marni Rosenthal Chaikin, Louie Cornejo, Nicole LaCour, Courtney Meadows, Shoko Tamura, AnnJeannette Walters, Eva Wieland and Present. Unknown Theater, 1110 Seward St., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m.; thru July 29; $18 online, $24 door. (323) 466-7781, www.unknowntheater.com.