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OKLAHOMA CITY – Most dance performance seniors at Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management have performed in more shows than they can count, but many of them will enjoy a new first next week when they showcase their choreography and directing abilities.
2010 student choreographers will showcase their work Oct. 15.
The Student Choreography Show “Just Dance… Gonna Be OK” will feature 184 dancers from various disciplines across the OCU campus. Showtimes are 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Oct. 15 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
Tori Schelling, dance performance senior, incorporated her love for Disney into her dance, entitled “Cruella de Vil.” Schelling wanted a small cast and choreographed her dance as a duet.
Michael McCarthy, dance performance senior, decided he wanted a large cast. His dance, “Cinema Italiano,” features a women’s ensemble.
“I wanted to use this project as a way to extend my choreography abilities and try something I’ve never done before,” he said.
Ashley Throneberry’s dance, “Let’s Get Loud” also features a large cast.
“I wanted something entertaining and fun that anyone in the audience could enjoy,” the dance performance senior said.
Throneberry said the planning process has created a strong bond between choreographers.
“They’re the only ones that understand everything you’re going through,” she said.
Schelling said all of her classmates have supported each other.
“I’ve had the chance to have a new learning experience and the opportunity to get guidance from everyone,” she said. “This experience is something I will carry with me after I graduate from OCU.”
The Student Choreography Show is directed by Kari Shaw, instructor of dance. Tickets are $15 each. To purchase tickets, call 405-208-5227 or visit the ticket booth’s website.
“Kari Shaw instills in our dancers the ability to understand, entertain and respect the American audience,” said Jo Fowan, dance department chairman. “We prepare our students for employment and the choreography class is a tremendous help to augment our students abilities to have successful careers not only as performers, but also as choreographers and teachers.”
To see photos from the show’s Oct. 6 looksee (rehearsal) visit mediaOCU.
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