Oranges, a wolf mask, sounds of a busy city and music from the band Nine Inch Nails, were some of the elements used in this year’s Evening of Dance collaborative.
Students and professors were able to showcase their choreography skills at the Main Theatre in the Keene State College Redfern Arts Center from April 23, through April 26.
Wednesday night, the Redfern Main Theatre opened to a half-full room with a crowd of enthusiastic friends and family. Kourtney Suliveras, a student at Merrimack College said she enjoyed the performance. “It was really great and very different,” Suliveras said. Her favorite piece was Where Empty Fills, choreographed by her friend and KSC senior Gabriella Pacheco.
Another audience member, Becky Yankowitz, a design and technical theater and occupational health and safety major, expressed her enthusiasm about the performance. “I loved it. I am beyond impressed,” she said.
Yankowitz said her favorite piece was City, choreographed by KSC alumnus and choreographer for the Redfern Arts Center, Rebecca Stenn.
“Something about the choreography is different than I would have expected; outside the box,” Stenn said.
City had dancers wearing collared shirts, moving in a way that mimicked a city street. Car horns, murmuring voices and cars whooshing by were audible in order to represent a city.
Dancer Lara Underkoffler, a junior and dance major, danced in pieces titled, Tooth and Nail, and, December Morning.
She said she loves dance because, “It’s a great way to express myself and it’s fun to dance with friends.”
Michael Portrie / Contributed Photo:
Tooth and Nail, choreographed by Guest Artist Cynthia McLaughlin, is performed above. Alex Davis (in air) and Lukas Irizarry dance across the stage.
Underkoffler said she thought the performances went well and her favorite pieces were December Morning and Tooth and Nail.
Tooth and Nail included elements from the old music piece Peter and the Wolf, but with a twist of modern elements, including an almost cartoon-like wolf in a suit, creating a roar of laughter in the audience.
Choreographer and Theatre and Dance Professor Marcia Murdock helped choreograph a piece with KSC professor William Seigh called, Poulenc.
Murdock explained she was very pleased with the performance.
“I was thrilled with how many people were here,” said Murdock, “I think they did beautifully and I think the audience responded.”
She continued, “These students are dancers and they really are professional. The performance ran like a professional ensemble and I am very proud of them.”
The piece included live piano, played by Music Professor Maura Glennon. “When you have live music — what a gift, a rarity these days,” Murdock said.
Murdock expressed appreciation for everything that goes into a show like this and mentioned, “The generosity and spontaneity of the live performance is not like a trained performance.”
She said she is thankful for all involved.
Senior and theatre and dance major Alex Davis choreographed his own piece for the performance called, Slight Displacement.
He explained his positive reaction to the night’s performance and said, “I am really impressed and pleased that we have three more days to continue to feed off an audience and create more buzz around campus.”
Davis said he likes choreographing pieces because, “It allows me to speak through movement, explore and problem solve. I really enjoy the rehearsal process — working, reciting and reworking.”
Hannah Sundell can be contacted at hsundell@keene-equinox.com