Emergence
Choreography by Senior Studio
April 7-9, 2022 @ 8 PM
Sam Houston State University's Department of Dance is thrilled to present Emergence, an accumulation of choreographic works created by fifteen dance artists of the 2022 senior BFA in Dance class. Join us at the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center Dance Theater from April 7-9, 2022, for the premiere of these exciting works. With the program order varying nightly, the community will have multiple chances to be submerged into diverse creations. From cultural dance works, to picturesque storytelling, to going against societal normality, Emergence highlights aspects of the human experience, presenting innovative concepts through artistic creations.
Highlights from the show include:
In New Company Policy, Reilly Elise Wiggins challenges what it means to “play it safe” by going against the odds of typical societal structures. Lighthearted and energetic, this dance work uses an office-inspired setting to reveal what it means to follow your own path despite the challenges that can come with it. With a dynamic pop-punk sound score and highly animated storytelling, New Company Policy speaks with an unapologetic voice and encourages others to do the same.
VIVA MEXICO! La Cultura es Rica, a folklorico dance work choreographed by Graciela Montes portrays the strengths of her Mexican culture. Montes celebrates traditional folk dance through the sound score and movement but deliberately challenges the sense of tradition while expressing its “raza.” Seven dancers reveal the spiritual and intimate connection that comes with tradition, while incorporating spoken word to interrupt what we know as tradition. “I want to preserve tradition yet shift it to go along with current times,” states choreographer Graciela Montes.
Ever felt overwhelmed to the point you feel like you’re spiraling out of control? Revolving Perturbation choreographed by Mya Bryant dives into the feeling of internal chaos. Using her own personal struggle as inspiration, the dynamic choreography portrays the constant battle within yourself. How can we keep our composure while we fight to maintain a normal state of mind? “I want this piece to connect with the audience since, more than likely, everyone has had an overwhelming moment in their life,” described by choreographer Mya Bryant.
When it seems like all hope is lost, signs of life will still emerge. Unshielded (working title), choreographed by Justice Jackson is inspired by the infamous painting “The Raft of Medusa.” With the use of crawling, twirling, and hovering, choreographer Justice Jackson hopes to intimidate audience members while conveying a story of hope. Will there be any signs of life? Someone has to live to tell the story.
Es lo que hay, a dance work created by Carolina Escamilla, celebrates the advantages of hard work one born and raised in Mexico experiences. Six dancers take the stage twisting, gliding, flicking, and reaching toward their aspirations. In a chaotic environment, multiple opportunities arise to succeed from the ground up. “People think it is hard to make it in Mexico, but it is a gift we are given from birth. If you can make it in Mexico, you can make it anywhere!” states choreographer Carolina Escamilla.
Creating space for interpretation, KALM (working title), by Sheena Kapila in collaboration with dancers, is a dance piece inspired by the personification of a well-oiled machine. Each dancer represents a vital part of proper function. The athletic and striking movements allow the dancers to embody the mechanisms of a machine. Each piece is equally important to the machine as everything is connected.
Solving Acrostics has never been so complex. Evolving through the letters and lines of this puzzle, you are led through A solver’s journey to uncover the true Meaning of what she needs to find. What letters does she need? How will she deCode the pattern? See this poetic translatioN come to life in Allie Rodriguez’s, No.36.
Individualistic and expressive. Women of Worth by Triniti Orr explores women’s sense of self-worth and ability to determine their own choices. The movement showcases women’s empowerment, drawing parallels between Triniti Orr’s own personal values while acknowledging humanity.
If you’ve ever found inner harmony, have you found a way to keep it, so it lasts forever? (i)nner Harmony, choreographed by Kayla Parker, dives into the journey of finding inner peace from different points of view. This dance work entails movements of serenity and self-discovery.
Revealing layers of growth, Aftersome (working title) choreographed by Madelynn Moreno intends to shed light on PTSD. Through the use of blindfolds, Madelynn Moreno portrays how an individual can build up walls as a result of trauma. This dance work will showcase how one can come to peace through introspection and the happiness that comes with being self-aware.
Exploring the concept of time, Cognitive Heuristics, choreographed by Kris Schramm urges the audience to embrace the irrelevance of passing time through the unorthodox. This dance work focuses on presenting this concept while simultaneously finding the joy in creating and performing. “Movement can exist in a world without fear of the past or future, as these things should not be taken too seriously,” commented choreographer Kris Schramm.
Sugar, spice, and everything nice. That Part, created by Sydney Felton, displays the strengths of women through the interpretation of music. The movement displays the sensual and powerful energy of the female essence. This energetic dance piece entertains by keeping the audience on their toes. Through pop culture, jazz, and hip-hop, this commercial-styled dance is sure to bring the heat!
Does one singular truth exist within a collective of perspectives? Oblivion by J Obregon looks at how corruption inside a collective can lead to its downfall. Tension among the members creates conflict and leads to miscommunication. Follow them on this journey to see whose truth will speak to you.
Be calm, don’t panic, just feel the RUSH. Choreographed by Naja Williams, powerful and intentional movement guides four dancers to the feeling of a rush. This dance piece takes you on a stimulating ride through the mental capacity of a working human brain. Through gestures, dancers show an array of emotions, reverberating at any given moment. “In my dance work, I want to showcase multiple cultural backgrounds and the rush that comes with them,” states choreographer Naja Williams. Buckle your seat belts and enjoy the ride!
Have you ever hit a breaking point in your life? Facade, choreographed by Sierra Canales is a dance work that illustrates four individuals who struggle in different aspects of their lives. The dancers portray how we hide our emotions, frustrations, and struggles from the outside world to appear to have everything figured out. Canales showcases how it may seem easy to hide those feelings when in reality, we’re reaching peak exhaustion.
Details
Emergence
James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center, Dance Theatre
815 17th Street, Huntsville TX
April 7-9, 2022
Tickets: $12 advance general admission, $15 at the door, one free student ticket with valid student ID and $5 additional student tickets with valid student ID.
Purchase online at www.shsu.edu/boxoffice or call 936-294-2339
Program order varies nightly: Thursday AB; Friday CA; Saturday BC
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