Dance of the Furies Rehearsal Demo

On 6 January 2001, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Internet2 hosted a videoconferencing demonstration at Columbia University. Using MPEG-2 videoconferencing over Internet2 high-performance networks, an audience in New York was able to observe and interact with the Peter Sparling Dance Company during a rehearsal at the Media Union at the University of Michigan. The Sparling company was rehearsing their new production of C. W. Glück's opera Orfeo and Euridice, commissioned by the University Musical Society. Through videoconferencing, the audience was able to interact with director/choreographer Sparling and other key participants, as the performers rehearsed the Dance of the Furies in full costume. The commissioners of the work were able to discuss the production with Sparling, the set designer, and other personnel, just as if they were "in studio" with him.