Dance-Theater Piece Weaved on Japanese Tale

Westmont senior Emily Auman, who has performed in “Beauty Bomb (2009),” and fall dance recitals, “Directions (2011),” and “Motion/Emotion (2012),” has written, choreographed and directed a dance-theater piece, “The Crane Wife” March 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. and March 22 at 8:30 p.m. all in Porter Theatre.

The performance, which features a live band and student dancers Sarah Harvey and Christopher Wagstaffe, is free and open to the public.

“The Crane Wife” is based on a Japanese folk tale about a poor man who rescues an injured crane with an arrow in its wing. The story became even more popular in 2006 when the Decemberists, a folk-rock band, released an album and song with the same title.

Auman wanted to create movement for the song ever since she first heard it.

“It’s a very visually driven, sad story that while fantastical, has themes that people can connect with,” she says. “I hope it shows the complexity of what often drives relationships and individuals into bad situations. I also hope that people enjoy the visual beauty and get swept away into the story.”