By Emily Duncan, Staff Writer
Kristen Stanley, alumna, and Mike McCarthy, dance performance senior, perform in the 2010 American Spirit Dance Company's Spring Show. This year's show will run from March 10-13. Photo: Marianne Pickens/The Campus
The American Spirit Dance Company will display their talents in the annual Spring Dance Show.
The show will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 10- Saturday, March 12 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13 in Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
The 140-member company, directed by OCU Dance Chairman Jo Rowan, will showcase American dance from Hollywood to Broadway.
“The show will be a fun-filled evening for the entire family,” Rowan said. “The audience will experience tap, jazz and music theater dance pieces that is a reflection of our culture here in America.
“The audience doesn’t need to get on a plane to go to New York because this show is a kinetic hors d’œuvre of delicious dance.”
An array of choreography is in the works with collaborations from the dance teachers to give the audience a variety filled show.
Choreography expected includes Fosse and a “West Side Story” period piece, said Tiffany van der Merwe, assistant professor of dance.
“The Fosse inspired piece Sing, Sing, Sing is a seduction of high energy Broadway sophistication,” she said. “West Side Story’s America and Cool revisits the iconic pieces of Jerome Robbins’ provocative and innovative contributions to American musical theater.”
Nicolette Blake, dance performance freshman, can attest first hand to the amount of work that goes into the show. Blake is Rowan’s assistant to help her behind the scenes with whatever she needs during rehearsals.
“It’s a really cool experience and it’s a lot of fun to work with Jo one-on-one,” she said. “She has a lot of energy.
“I learn a lot listening to her life experiences and when she gives corrections to the dancers.”
Blake said she encourages her fellow classmates to attend the show.
“It’s going to be really great,” she said. “There are a lot of great dancers and choreographers combined to make a great show.”
Tickets are $28 and can be purchased by calling the OCU ticket office at 405-208-5227 or by visiting okcu.edu/ticketoffice.com.
This article initially appeared in the March 9 issue of The Campus newspaper.
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