On Saturday, Dec. 7, Southern Utah University’s department of theatre, dance, and arts administration will be hosting their yearly Day of Dance. Running from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the event allows prospective and current SUU students to learn more about the dance programs available at the university.
The event, which is marketed towards high school students but is also open to current SUU students and some middle school students, gives attendees the opportunity to take jazz, ballet and modern dance classes, complete dance-level placement and scholarship interviews, attend a Q&A with dance students and faculty and attend a free performance of TDAA’s production of “Sweet Charity.”
“It’s like an open house, a chance for individuals to come and take classes with SUU dance faculty members and alongside current SUU dance students,” said dance program director and associate chair of TDAA Alexandra Bradshaw-Yerby.
Bradshaw-Yerby particularly encourages attendees to pursue the scholarship opportunities available through the Day of Dance, especially those who are about to complete their high school education.
“It’s a great way to get in front of faculty to be considered for scholarships, because we have a lot of scholarship money to offer,” said Bradshaw-Yerby.
The event kicks off in the Multi-Purpose Center, where all of the events excluding the matinee of “Sweet Charity” will take place.
Planning for the Day of Dance began in Spring 2024, and Bradshaw-Yerby worked alongside her fellow dance faculty and student volunteers to execute the event.
“We want it to be early enough in the academic year that if students do want to come to SUU, they have time to consider their options, so we usually offer it in the fall,” said Bradshaw-Yerby.
Bradshaw-Yerby emailed hundreds of students and teachers across Utah, Nevada and Arizona, and worked with a team to spread word of the event. She particularly worked with dance student Tyrese Sheriff, who, in addition to sending out roughly 200 mail-out flyers about the event, will run registration the day of.
While the Day of Dance is aimed at high school students, it is also open to current students at SUU. Any student enrolled at the university is able to take the many dance classes offered, something Bradshaw-Yerby is uncertain they are aware of.
“There’s so many students that are registered here that have danced either their whole life and want to keep dancing, or have never had a chance to dance in their life and want the opportunity to start,” said Bradshaw-Yerby. “We have classes available that are appropriate for a spectrum of students.”
Author: Tessa Cheshire
Photos courtesy of Asher Swan
arts@suunews.net
