SUU’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance are presenting an all-new originally choreographed dance concert. Faculty, students, and distinguished guest artists have created original dance pieces being performed by SUU students for the Spring dance concert. These pieces are an interpretation of the choreographer’s experiences and observations. Hard work, heart, soul, and dedication go into these performances.
Averi Christiansen, a junior double-majoring in dance performance and marketing said: “The best part about being a choreographer is seeing all of the working parts come together. When the dancers’ hard work pays off, when the lighting design accentuates the movement, and the costume adds to the mood of the piece, I can’t help but be happy that my choreographic vision has come true.”
The concert also features Burch Mann’s original choreography A Night at Big Bill Broonzy’s and Rampart Street Parade from the repertoire of the American Folk Ballet restaged by Lise Mills. Burch Mann loved the ragtime tap and ballroom style that inspired these dances. Each year we present a Burch Mann masterpiece to assure her extraordinary talent is not lost. These dances are sponsored in part by Rocky Mountain Power.
Junior dance education major Kayla Nelson said: “It is rewarding to work with such amazing and down-to-earth students and faculty. I love when I have that ‘light bulb’ moment where I am finally able to grasp a concept or a move that the choreographer has been asking of me. This production has taught me that I have capabilities beyond what I thought I did. It has pushed me physically and mentally to new capacities and I have experienced immense growth because of it.”
Southern Utah University’s Dance Department is making its name in the dance world thanks to the talented faculty members and dedicated students. The dancers are training longer, harder and are being dutifully prepared to exit the university as this field of work. The community is strongly encouraged to attend- not just to be entertained and see what is next in dance- but that culture relies on the arts!
Public Displays will show Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Randall L. Jones Theater Feb. 2, and 9 will have an additional showing at 2 p.m.
Current SUU faculty, staff and students get in free with a valid ID card, tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for alumni with card and $5 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the America First Event Center Box Office, at the door the night of the performance or online at www.suu.edu/pva.
For more information about the dance performance program at SUU, please visit https://www.suu.edu/pva/ta/dance-performance.html.
Story by: Alexis J. Taylor
accent@suunews.net
Photo by: SUU Marketing
