Capital University News, California State University, Sacramento
February 7, 2005
Thai dance company reveals
rare masked performance
California State University, Sacramento will present a rare
dance event at 3 p.m., on Sun., Feb. 20 in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano
Hall. Thailand's renowned National Theater Company will perform the country's
classical dance-drama "Khon."
"Khon" involves masked dancers, live music and a
narrator who recites poetry to guide the dancers' movements. Performing a complicated
choreography of acrobatic elegance, Khon dancers wear distinctive costumes and
masks, which serve to identify four characters-hero, heroine, demon and monkey
warrior.
The company is comprised of 13 performers who serve the Royal Thai Government's
Ministry of Education, based at the National Theatre of Thailand's Department
of Fine Arts. Each dancer has been trained form an early age in classical Thai
dance and music, making the company Thailand's leading performing arts troupe.
The performance is put on in conjunction with the San Francisco
Asian Art Museum's groundbreaking exhibition "The Kingdom of Siam: The
Art of Central Thailand, 1350-1800." A century ago, the dance was reserved
for entertainment, ceremonies and rituals in Siam's royal court. As the country
underwent a process of modernization, the court performers became official teachers
of classical dance and music through the Department of Fine Arts in order to
preserve the country's heritage in music and dance.
For more information contact professor Jim Chopyak at (916) 278-7493 or jchopyak@csus.edu.
For media assistance, contact public affairs at (916) 278-6156.
