Dance in Concert 2000 promises spectacular performances |
Miguel Marling |
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It is time for a night at the theater. Since before 1970, the department of theater and dance has been having its annual Dance in Concert, and this year's Dance in Concert 2000 promises to be spectacular. Performances will be modern dance numbers with some jazz and ballet influence, with music by composers ranging from Aaron Copland to Harry Partch. Intricately designed costumes and high-tech special effects and lighting are sure to add to the excitement of each performance. In tribute to 25 years in the department of theater and dance, associate professor Kerry J. Shaul has put to life one of this year's biggest numbers. "Silver Reminiscing ..." will feature seven choreography excerpts of Shaul's work at SIUE in part through live performance and in part as a multimedia presentation. "Silver Reminiscing ... " is a retrospective look at the joys of a career in dance and dance instruction. Another piece of the dance faculty's choreography will be "Psalm." Instructor Paula Beals categorized her work as a "tribute to her time with the Martha Graham Dance Company." She added this year's Dance in Concert will focus on the more traditional side of Dance in Concert in its modern era. Beals has helped choreograph Dance in Concert since 1986. SIUE theater and dance department professor J. Calvin Jarrel has also contributed a dream-full of his own work this year in his medley "Through the Space of Time Sleeps the Dream." Specially designed costumes, lighting effects and even a flight sequence will be included. This portion of Dance in Concert 2000 will be featuring Andrew Lackey, a freshman majoring in theater performance. Cerebral palsy has not kept Lackey from the dance floor by any means. Instead he can be spotted at center stage with the other dancers in Jarrel's medley. Choreography of this year's performance will be complemented by the expertise of many SIUE theater and dance program alumni who are now professionals. Darla K. Adree, class of 1984; Mary Ann Rund, 1986; Heather A. Reynolds, 1995; and Rachel Brady, 1993, have all tapped their creative genius in choreographing a piece for Dance in Concert 2000. These graduates have combined their field experience with their education at SIUE to take part in this year's event. Eighty-five years of combined teaching experience and the success of many students in the world of dance add to the delight of Dance in Concert 2000. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Dunham Hall theater. Each show will include a 15-minute intermission, and Saturday's performance will feature a post-show discussion with faculty and performers. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. | |