The curtains slowly opened to show two elegant dancers mirroring one another in a piece inspired by Pablo Picasso’s “Girl Before a Mirror.” Twelve more dancers then drifted on to a stage that held a collection of crystal trinkets to perform a new version of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.”Of Moving Colors Productions, a contemporary dance theatre based in Baton Rouge, performed their show, “Looking Glass” on Sunday at the Manship Theatre. Garland Goodwin Wilson, University alumnus and artistic director of the company, choreographed the piece. The company prides itself on being able to incorporate many forms of art into its performances to create a unified concept. Throughout the performance, the light wisps of brush strokes could be heard from a painter stationed on the side of the stage. Audience members could watch the painting transform in front of their eyes. The show also incorporated acting, props, on-stage costume changes and voiceovers into the performance.”The variety of so many artistic aspects made this show a real performance,” said Alexandra Barbier, former University student and three-year company dancer. “That it told a story is really cool.”Of Moving Colors began working on “Looking Glass” last August. The dancers train a minimum of three days a week at the Powell Moise School of Dance.Wilson explained the group does three main shows a year, along with as many as 60 small events at various schools, libraries, churches and outreach programs. The company strives to bring the arts out of theatres and into the community. “It’s my passion to further establish dance as a valid profession in Louisiana,” Wilson said. “It’s fulfilling to give contemporary dance an outlet.”Of Moving Colors hosts master classes and dance residency. They also incorporate world-class guest artists into their performances.The group has been asked to train and perform at many esteemed events, including Vienna’s Impulse Tanz International Dance Festival. In 2005, the company was selected to present its work at the prestigious Dance New Amsterdam in New York City. The group has also participated in collaborations with the Baton Rouge Symphony. Upcoming events include “Longitude: A State of Faith and Time” in April and potentially another collaboration with the Baton Rouge Symphony. “People need to hold on to art,” Wilson said. “It brings beauty to people’s lives.”—–Contact Lindsay Nunez at [email protected]