Rock Springs sisters shakin' the trees

By the Star-Tribune staff

MANHATTAN, N.Y. -- Dozens of supporters and well wishers were treated to vocal acrobats, comedy, percussion drum performances, raffles and merriment during the annual fundraising drive for the Treehouse Shakers, a dance-and-theater ensemble co-founded by two Wyoming daughters.

Treehouse Shakers was co-founded in 1997 by collaborators Emily Bunning, choreographer/dancer and Mara McEwin, writer/actor.

In 2002, they created Outside Of Kissing Rock, Bunning's and McEwin's autobiographical story of growing up wild in Wyoming.

The recent event in Manhattan was intended to raise resources needed by the non-profit group to continue offering its acclaimed collection of original, family-friendly shows to underserved groups countrywide.

"It is important to take performances to younger audiences as well as underserved communities because this will groom them to become future art performers and supporters," said artistic coordinator Emily Bunning, a native of Rock Springs.

"It also enables the children to understand and experience new cultures and perspectives through dance, theater and live music. It is wholesome, quality entertainment as well as a way of expressing life's lessons," she said.

The award-winning New York-based group has created 10 original shows during its nine-year existence.

Treehouse Shakers is a prolific dance-theater group. Funds raised during the latest benefit show will finance performances for the critically ill children at the St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson, N.J., in December. The event will be streamed live online to enable children who are too sick to go to the theater to watch the show from their beds at the facility as well as elsewhere in the world.

The money will also fund 15 performances in at least 10 elementary schools in Mesa, Ariz., in November.

Children will be treated to the Animal Rhythms, a dance-theater performance of two African folk tales seeking to encourage the spirit of sharing and friendship. Children explore rhythm as they create the sounds of the ancient story drum using their own bodies, and are introduced to modern dance through the Afro-influenced movements of the characters onstage.

Treehouse Shakers treated those attending the recent show to a sneak peek of their newest creation, Lost Arroyos. The show, performed by seven actors and dancers, follows several drifting American characters as they discover separate worlds of cultural struggles, race boundaries and blurred identities. The show is expected to premiere in June 2007.

For more information, visit www.treehouseshakers.com.