Friday, February 23, 2001

By Scott Mervis, Weekend Editor

High-tech Ranch

Troika Ranch, a New York-based dance and performance, has been in residence this week at North Allegheny Schools, showing students how to make video, light and music respond to their every move -- without, of course, just clicking a remote control. They've been collaborating with students there to create a new work called CONNECT(DIS)CONNECT, that deals with the impact of new technology on the modern family. During their performance tomorrow night at North Allegheny High School, Troika Ranch -- fronted by co-artistic directors Mark Coniglio of Nebraska and Dawn Stoppiello of Portland, Ore. -- will also present the evening-length "Vera's Body," which The New York Times praised as "a rich weave of ideas and music," while saying that the "choreography is not as vivid as the text and video." The performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10; $5 students. Call 724-935-5767.