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Saturday, January 12, 2002

By Jane Vranish, Post-Gazette Dance and Music Critic

Pittsburgh native choreographer, dancer and workaholic Maria Caruso isn't waiting around for job offers. The 21-year-old has her own remedy -- create a company.

	Bodiography Where: Byham Theater, Downtown. When: 8 tonight. Tickets: $24-$28; 412-456-6666.

Caruso, who has a fine arts degree in performing arts and dance from Florida State University, made the move to New York City, where she worked with Arthur Mitchell at the Dance Theater of Harlem, along with Buffalo City Ballet and Dance Repertory Theatre. But Caruso soon began teaching at Ballet Academy East, where she laid the foundation for Bodiography.

Built on the principles of Bill T. Jones, that in body diversity there is choreographic intrigue, Caruso has gathered a group of nine dancers set to "revolutionize the ballet world. We're going to concentrate on artistry, quality and technique rather than stereotypical dancers," she says. "This will be an outlet that allows people to enjoy who they are rather than looking for cosmetic alteration."

Caruso has put together a program at the Byham Theater this weekend that reveals "the choreographic mind." "Transit Euphony" will explore Caruso's movement vocabulary and "how it comes alive. This is action-packed pointe, very jazzy" to music by St. Germain.

In "Relativity," Caruso will draw from personal experience to create the five sections: loss, maternal nurturing, friendship, reunion and long-distance.

"Ascension" moves through the afterworld, where a spirit finds its way out of life, into purgatory, hell and into heaven. A fusion of ballet and modern dance, Caruso calls it a "journey of emotion."

Caruso teaches at Point Park College, Slippery Rock University, South Hills Dance Etcetera, Rogers School in Murrysville and Mary Lorraine in Penn Hills to support her company financially. She travels to New York every few weeks to work with the dancers, who have an interim rehearsal director.

"Bodiography is designed to work year 'round," says Caruso. "We want to be able to have collaborative input, support each other and enjoy our lives."