Dance Spectrum in Concert
Spring 2021
April 29, April 30 & May 1, 2021 @ 8 PM

Dance majors return to the stage in the Department of Dance’s Spring 2021 Dance Spectrum in Concert. Delivered as a virtual performance, nine choreographers will present eight dance works, two as dance for cameras and the remaining as live streams, complete with multiple camera angles and all the fixings of a theatrical stage performance. “The choreographers and dancers are thrilled to present again from the state-of-the-art Dance Theater in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center. Let’s Dance!” says Associate Professor Dionne Noble, one of the choreographers on the bill.

A little about the live streamed dance works:

Full of twisting and twirling, a new dance work by Adjunct Professors Rasika Borse and Colette Kerwick follows six dancers clad in vibrant colors as they TWIDDLE around one another​. “TWIDDLE” is comprised of four vignettes exploring contemporary ballet movement through narratives of decompression, partnering without touch, and sweeping floor patterns.

"Susan" is a solo by Visiting Professor Adele Nickel for senior BFA major Kennedy Adams that uses abstract movement and gesture to tell a story of transformation and coming-of-age. It is set to the sounds of Dolly Parton, Southern icon and unlikely feminist and LGBTQ ally, and her rousing ballad Light of a Clear Blue Morning. 

When two friends find themselves on opposing sides, they have no choice but to work out their dispute. In “A Game of Parely” by Adjunct Professor Evelyn Toh, the dancers attempt to resolve their differences in the most civil way they know, a game of rock/paper/scissors. We watch as each individual’s inner dialogue drives their intriguing discourse forward.

Via collaboration with Resident Costume Designer Barry Doss, there is no shortage of personality in Assistant Professor Joshua Manculich’s latest work. “Okay to Wear Pink” is both dedicated to and inspired by any child ever taught to value societal expectation over individual self-expression. 

The air lifts me up, the air presses us down. Associate Professor Dionne Sparkman Noble and dancers search for a breath of fresh air in “Dawn,” a group work for nine dancers inspired by the colors of the sky at dusk and the investigation of lightness in movement during times of uncertainty and strain.

Professor Andy Noble’s high-energy dance, “The Conversation” sends dancers rip-roaring across the stage in groups of two, three, and four. To Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto No. 1, the dancers perform exaggerated gestural movements to impersonate characters involved in intense exchanges of dialogue.

Department Chair Jennifer Pontius presents a concise pointe ballet, “Fluidity,” developed with the goal of making a pretty and pleasing experience for the dancers as antidote to the year of Covid stress and gloom. Despite the need for physical and social distancing, the dancers create a welcoming community for those sharing the stage space, sending warmth and hope to the audience watching from afar on Youtube as well as to their fellow dancer who joins the cast from her home in Canada. Music is from the ballet, Raymonda, by Alexander Glazunov.

Two Dance for Cameras round out the evening:

In “Dust of Enceladus”, a dance for camera by Assistant Professor Donald C. Shorter, a young college student finds out that her wish becomes reality when she encounters a higher vibrational version of herself from the future. She learns about the power of astral projection and teleports herself to outer space. It is here where she can dance a dance of freedom. This film was shot entirely remote, with an iPhone X, and using green screen technology.

Theater faculty member and choreographer Kyle Craig-Bogard contributes a dance for camera with a large cast to the evening’s bill. Craig-Bogard states, “Many people have their own ritual or daily obsession with coffee. Whether you press, drip, pod, or pour it over ice, “Crave” hopes to unify everyone who loves coffee with this diverse, jazzy romp, and the ways we relate to our beloved morning brew.”

DETAILS

Dance Spectrum in Concert
Online Streaming via YouTube Live
April 29, 30, and May 1, 2021 @ 8pm
Performance link can be purchased through
www.shsutickets.com or by calling 936-294-2339

Still frame from Shorter's dance for camera Dust of Enceladus 

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Masters of Dance
Spring 2021
March 31 - April 1, 2021 @ 8 PM

Sam Houston State University Department of Dance is proud to present Masters of Dance from March 31st to April 1st, 2020 at 8 pm. The concert will be a live but virtual performance streamed via Youtube live from the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center Dance Theater. The performance link is $12 if purchased in advance $15 if purchased on the day of the performance and available through shsutickets.com. 

Masters of Dance showcases a collection of diverse dance works choreographed and produced by the graduate student organization of the same name. Included in this concert will be 12 new dance works by eleven Master of Fine Arts in Dance candidates – Keeley Dunnam, Amy Fitzsimmons, Shohei Iwahama, Madelyn Klumb, Travis Lake, Jorrell Lawyer-Jefferson, Jam Martinez, Tyler Orcutt, Lauren Serrano, Lilly Thurman, and Sarah Vickery. Each night will feature all twelve works. 

A little about some of the works:

Keeley Dunnam’s piece the “The Vax” was inspired by the public’s fear of long-term side effects from the Covid-19 RNA vaccine. In this piece, the dancers have a divided surreal experience of life before and after administration of the vaccine that is defined by these fears.

"Ping" a choreographic work by Amy Fitzsimmons, in collaboration with the dancers explores the contrasting qualities of chaos and uniformity. Inspired by patterns created through sonar, a trio of dancers rotate through the space to the funky, futuristic beats of Bazz.

Madelyn Klumb’s new work asks the following questions: "How can someone pinpoint specific experiences in their life where they felt completely broken and use those moments to generate healing? The work created explores the answers to this question by using movement and personal experiences to spark the healing process within the fragments of one’s life."​

Travis Lake will present two dance works for the concert. His first piece, Wayward Sister, is inspired by the contagion of hysterics that spread across New England during the Salem Witch Trials. Lake and dancers collectively investigated various socio-ecological devices to distinguish social class and power relations. At surface level, Wayward Sister is a theatrical representation of fear, doubt, and malice. At its core, the piece is intended to shed light on a tendency one might have to accuse the unknown while having little context. Lake’s second work, Forever Tonight, is a solo performance that draws from his childhood daydreams. Using multimedia, Lake aims to lead viewers through a visual experience that exists only in fantasy.

With a funky, disco feel Jam Martinez’s film “House on Main.” This dance film takes a trip through the downtown Huntsville area while exploring the house vibes of musical artist, Channel Tres.

In a quartet by Tyler Orcutt, Shapes and Trebuchets, strategically placed characters get thrown out of the window for no apparent reason. Apparently.

Lauren Serrano’s Side Eye explores the social constructs surrounding the word feminine, and how to break from the confines of a structured definition into a personal embodiment. This piece was constructed through a collaborative effort with the dancers in investigating the complexities of the feminine within ourselves.

Join in from the comforts of your living to see Masters of Dance – a live streamed event!

DETAILS

Masters of Dance, Online Streaming via YouTube Live
Department of Dance, Sam Houston State University
General: $12 in advance $15 day of event
Link available for online purchase at www.shsutickets.com
March 31 and April 1, 2021 @ 8 pm
Program order remains same each night

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One

A Thesis Film by Dustin Salinas

One is a short film by Dustin Salinas in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Salina examines shared experiences of loneliness, intimacy, and isolation and explores the significance of movement in a larger narrative context utilizing gesture, cinematography and choreography. In One, textual, emotional and character-building processes are fused together in an original script that looks into the lives of a husband and wife who struggle to connect. This engaging and thoughtful film will be streamed via YouTube Live on April 8 & 9, 2021 at 8:00 PM. 

DETAILS

One
Film by Dustin Salinas
Online Streaming via YouTube Live
Department of Dance, Sam Houston State University
Free - Performance link available at www.shsutickets.com
April 8 & 9, 2021 at 8:00 PM

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Sculpted by Senior Studio

Sam Houston State University is proud to present Sculpted, a series of choreographic works presented by 13 members of the 2021 senior class. These choreographers are thrilled to showcase their spectacular dance works via YouTube Live April 16-17, 2021. Tune in to this collection of dance from the comfort of your own home! Throughout Sculpted, you will get to see each choreographer mold their movement in unique and intricate ways. From bowling to sleep paralysis to pharmaceutical trials, Sculpted features various innovative concepts and artistic voices for the audience to enjoy.

Highlights from the show include:

Look around. Everything is not what it seems. Onism, a work by Kennedy Adams, explores the body's experience as it is manipulated by the mind during sleep paralysis. Movement for the dance was generated with the idea of creating a world for viewers to dream with eyes wide open. Onism features a live vocal performance by Luci Astorga, aiding in the creation of an otherworldly experience for all involved.

Opposingly, Passerby, a dance created by Allie Klima, celebrates individuality as well as unity. Inspired by the concept of "sonder," this work unveils the realization that every random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. Through intimate choreography, the audience is invited to enter a world where strong athletic movement sends the dancers soaring across the stage.  

Ominous and intriguing, MK 006 (working title) choreographed by Aidan Rodgers, cautions against the hazards of a pharmaceutical trial gone astray. Malfunctioning lab equipment is personified by dancers as they take us on an unorthodox journey following one woman's volatile experience as a test subject. Tension accumulates through clinical mannerisms, gritty floorwork, and the dancers' precarious relationships to one another, ultimately reaching a catastrophic conclusion.

To the seas! Submerged is a journey representing the trials and waves of our everyday life. Many struggle with anxiety and feeling helplessly dragged under the water. This piece tells their story. Filled with tidal waves, low tides, and simply lying on the shore, Submerged embodies the concept of complete surrender. "I wanted to explore the idea of beautiful chaos. I want my audience to be able to relate to a feeling many of us cannot describe with words themselves," states choreographer Rachel Green.

Moving inward, Gift by Cierra Birmingham dives into a want that we all desire. To be happy. Through a variety of solos, Birmingham leads the audience on a journey through gestures and movement discovery, leaving the audience all wondering the same question... "What makes me happy?"

Knowing what makes her happy, Con Ojos de Amor, by Lucero Vasquez, explores the meaning of trust, love, and support. Encapsulated by a stunning duet, Vasquez demonstrates the unique connection and impact a sibling has in life. Family is one of Vasquez' greatest values, and this dance is dedicated to them.

When you find yourself stuck in the bardo, do you risk selling your soul for everlasting love and life? Leveret, choreographed by Sierra Johnson, follows the Chinese myth about the Rabbit God and a man who was executed for loving another man. This rendition of the story is about Tu'er Shen and how he became the Rabbit God. Join him on this crazy journey of manipulation and coercion as he becomes the God he is known to be.

Women. How do they differ throughout time? Your Entertainment for Tonight Only, choreographed by Kalli Loudan, plays with the evolution of the "ideal" woman. Taking inspiration from the 1950s  and Bob Fosse, Loudan believes, "Women are not just for decoration, they are beautiful, powerful, resilient and should not be underestimated." Loudan encapsulates this viewpoint through the dancers on stage with tight unison paired with high heels and costume changes. Your Entertainment for Tonight Only is a jaw-dropping piece that will keep you on your toes 

Hot, hot, hot off the runway! In Abby Scott's, Reconstruire, the dancers are doing just that... reconstructing. Playing with popular fashion runway ideas, dancers demonstrate a beautiful duality between fluidity and traditional runwaymovement. Simplistic walking is reconstructed through Scott's play in contrasting runway style pathways and confidence, with abstract movement. 

Influenced by the power of breath, air, and shared energy, Title by Laila Dennis finds power in the invisible. Encouraging imagination, dancers are seen using their breath to initiate their every move. Moving effortlessly through space, “The dancers take an explorative internal/external shared journey as they control the elements of their environment," says Dennis. Wafting, swooping, and soaring through the air, the movement evolves as we see them elegantly absorb the space around them. 

Taking a light-hearted spin on pre-pandemic fun, spare me, by Morgan Sandlin is a piece inspired by bowling. Paired with various sound scores, Sandlin's abstract take on this familiar sport is performed by six dancers in an action-packed sequence you will not want to miss. From pins to balls, and all the bowlers in between, spare me is a strikingly amusing piece. 

DETAILS:

Sculpted - Presented by Senior Studio
Online Streaming via YouTube Live
Department of Dance, Sam Houston State University
General: $12 in advance $15 day of event
Link available for online purchase at www.shsutickets.com
April 16 & 17, 2021 @ 8 pm

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