Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - He used to pay his dancers in subway tokens and evening meals, but now the members of the Seán Curran Company are internationally recognized artists, and they are coming to Nacogdoches.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts will present the dance troupe at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 2, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of the University Series.

Monday night's program will include a variety of works spanning nine years, including one work still in progress.

The troupe, which was established in 1997, will open the concert with "The Nothing That is Not There and the Nothing That Is," a work for four dancers that Curran choreographed in 1998. According to the program notes, the dance examines the subtle tensions between people, our desire to connect emotionally and our inability at times to do so.

Curran, who is an award-winning dancer himself, will take the stage for the second number, an excerpt from "Schubert Solos," which he created in 2000. The work is set to "Moments Musicaux" by Franz Schubert.

"Aria," completed in 2005, features five dancers and is set to opera arias by Georg Frideric Handel and recorded apologies from "The Apology Line." It was developed in part during Curran's residency at the Bates Dance Festival.

The troupe will close the concert with "Force of Circumstance," a work still in progress that is choreographed by Curran in collaboration with the dancers. It is set to music by Thom Yorke.

While on campus, the troupe will give a master class to SFA dance students.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with a professional modern dance company from New York," said Elizabeth Rhodes, SFA professor of dance.

Prior to the company's evening performance, Rhodes will give a 7 p.m. informative talk in Griffith Gallery, located across the hall from Turner Auditorium.

"If possible, Seán hopes to join us to give us the choreographer's perspective of the dances he and the company will perform," Rhodes said.

After the performance, the SFA College of Fine Arts will host a reception to honor the event's corporate sponsor, BancorpSouth of Nacogdoches.

Adult tickets are $30 for A seating, $24 for B seating and $15 for C seating, with discounts available for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.