Those searching for a way to unwind after midterms have the opportunity to attend this year’s student dance concert, put on every spring by the department of theatre, dance and arts administration. With performances taking place in the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre on March 6-8 at 7:30 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m., this year’s concert is titled “Looking Out.” It features dances by eight student choreographers, with artistic direction from dance professor Nancy Dobbs Owen.
Students interested in contributing their choreography to the concert sent in applications that were then reviewed by the dance faculty. Some applied to further their education and work towards future career goals, while others applied to create a specific dance or type of dance.
“Here I don’t have a lot of possibilities to dance hip hop, and I decided if I want to do it, maybe I need to do something about it,” said Valle Pino, a non-dance major who sought more dance opportunities.
The faculty selected choreographers based on a number of factors, ranging from artistic vision to academic year.
“We want to make sure that we’re not putting them into a situation that’s going to actually be detrimental, right? Because we want them to be able to blossom in the role of choreographer,” said Owen.
Once selected, the student choreographers were given two one and a half hour rehearsals each week, starting in late January.
“(It’s a lot of) having a sharp eye of what look, aesthetic and movement you’re looking for,” said choreographer Mariah Godfrey. “It’s a really fun creative process. It’s pretty much like whatever you want can go.”
Each choreographer had different rehearsal processes, with some choreographing out of order, some working with dancers separately and then adding them together and many more methods.
“I choreographed the beginning part last, and I had (the dancers) come up with it,” said choreographer Katelin Pugh. “They all choreographed their own solos, and then I mashed them together.”
The inspiration for each dance also varied from student to student. There is a story with each dance, including Godfrey’s, which was inspired by a tarot reading she received over the summer.
“Mine was kind of just inspiration from my personal life, my lived experience,” said choreographer Hannah Croft. “There’s a story, I think, with pretty much everyone’s, but it’s personal, usually.”
The students were also responsible for naming the concert, though ideas had to be approved by Owen. Ultimately, they settled on “Looking Out.”
“They’re looking at their future. They’re looking past their boundaries,” said Owen. “They’re looking at what is possible, which I thought was really beautiful.”
The students and faculty encourage all students to attend the concert, including those who are unfamiliar with dance.
“Arts and arts education is not just for people who want to be choreographers, who want to be professional artists. A lot of people are not dance majors,” said Owen. ”To isolate the arts in this separate thing, rather than making it part of the entire liberal arts education is a loss.”
“Looking Out” runs approximately one hour and five minutes and is free for SUU students, staff and faculty with a valid ID.
Author: Tessa Cheshire
Photos by Kinley Walker courtesy of SUU TDAA
Editor: Heather Turner
arts@suunews.net
