This weekend's Winter Dance concert will feature six pieces and take place Friday and Saturday.
Despite the weather, the show must go on.
The Dance Division will be hosting its Winter Dance concert this weekend.
Madeleine Scott, director of the School of Dance, Film and Theater, said despite a few casting changes caused by injuries, the pieces still look very strong.
“I really enjoy seeing how much the students have grown in the process of working because many of the dances start in the fall,” Scott said “And to see how much they grow and what they’ve learned and how they integrated the rehearsal period.”
The six pieces to be performed are named Mod-estly Psychedelic, Face to Face, Imprint, Rise, Each Other’s Angels and Esum.
“The pieces I’m in are a lot of fun,” said Jon Lawson, a junior studying dance, who is performing in Mod-estly Psychedelic and Esum. “It’s a lot of work working on them and getting them ready for the show, but I really enjoy them.”
Mod-estly Psychedelic and Face to Face are both choreographed by Travis Gatling, associate director of the School of Dance.
Mod-estly Psychedlic was inspired by the music, fashion and dancing of the 60’s mod scene. Face to Face has performers explore both literal and abstract representations of physical and psychological responses to various forms of confrontation.
Imprint, choreographed by Nathan Andary, a lecturer for the School of Dance, was inspired by an aspect of occurrences that happen in everyday life.
“(Imprint) was a focus for me of energy that we exchange with each other on a daily basis and the impression and the imprint of that energy that is stored in our body,” Andary said. “And in any moment it can be conjured up and it creates a beautiful memory-scape in the moment where you are but it’s a memory that’s already transpired.”
Leslie Dworkin’s piece, Rise, presents a reflection on the tension between human reality and a desired state of grace.
Each Other’s Angels, choreographed by Lisa Moulton, tackles the topic of sibling relationships. The shared common experiences of inherently unique individuals are explored within the loosely narrative structure of this dance.
Visiting artist, Nii-Tete Yartey, choreographed Esum. Yartey is the artistic director of the National Dance Company of Ghana. The piece is contemporary African dance and considers power and its use and manipulation in society.
Even for students like Lawson, who have been in the Winter Dance concert in the past, each year is a new challenge.
“Each piece is different and requires you to bring something different to the table,” Lawson said. “Each time it’s always a different learning experience so it’s really nice.”
Scott said dancing in a large house like MemAud is a different experience that every dancer needs to experience.
Lawson is very thankful for the experience and the education that comes with the concert but what he looks forward to the most is sharing the art form.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the art form to the general public who might not necessarily always see or be involved with dance,” Lawson said. “It’s always nice to share with the community.”
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