The Rocket

Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: SUBMITTED PHOTO

Of all the things students are exposed to during their years at college, interpretive dance doesn't seem to be something that students get into. For those who never venture into Swope Music Hall or Miller Auditorium to take in a play, recital, or orchestra, performance arts aren't something they're too concerned with.

But students will have an opportunity to experience interpretive dance Friday evening at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. in the Swope Music Hall on the campus of SRU.

The department of dance's fall concert, a showcase of student works and faculty and guest choreography, will feature 10 original pieces.

Jennifer Keller, interim chair of the dance department, said she thinks the performances have something to offer that most students have never experienced.

"I think that each audience member is going to look at some of the performances and interpret them differently," Keller said. "But the thing is, all those interpretations are correct. I hope that people watch with an open mind and try to identify if the dances that they're seeing either clash or support the cultural values that they hold."

Upon returning to campus in August, students interested in taking part in the concert were required to pen a letter to the dance department expressing their desire to perform. In the second week of September, those who had applied were given a student review of their idea and their progress up to that point. Finally, after students returned from Thanksgiving break, those who had continued to rehearse their performances for the long haul had their pieces judged by the SRU Dance Theatre. Students who scored 85 percent or higher, were permitted to perform in the fall concert. The student choreographers have been under the artistic direction of Ursula Payne, professor of dance at SRU.

Keller said she thought the process of subjecting the performers to a performance review was the best option to ensure quality during the fall concert.

"I think that having the student be required to show their work to get feedback was something that will help when it comes time to perform in front of an audience," Keller said.

Ashley Valo, 22, a senior dance major, will be performing one of the 10 pieces during Friday's concert.

"I just had a lot of ideas from my life experiences and especially things I've experienced in the last six months," Valo said. "I had a lot of my friends doing drugs, and that was something I wasn't too fond of."

Continued...

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