The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management’s student-directed choreography show will open Oct. 11.
The show, which serves as a senior capstone project for dance performance majors, will feature original dances created by senior dance performance majors. All of the seniors prepare one number to be performed during the show.
“It’s really great getting to work with student choreographers, you get to experience their thought process and it is cool to know they are learning alongside you,” said Alyssa Cover, dance pedagogy sophomore.
The process for this upcoming show started last semester. During the spring of their junior year, dance performance majors take choreography theory. This class teaches how to design and choreograph a show.
During this class, dance performance majors begin coming up with ideas for their show. Towards the end of the semester, they submit their ideas and a final show is chosen.
In the fall, the senior class holds auditions. Auditions are open to all students, not just dance majors. After the shows are cast, each senior is responsible for holding rehearsals for their individual show.
Along with choreographing, designing, and rehearsing the show, seniors are also responsible for costuming. While there is a costume lab course offered by the dance school, which teaches how to sew and other costuming techniques, dance performance majors are not required to take this course.
“I learned how to sew while I was making costumes,” said Hillary Conrad, dance performance senior.
Conrad’s piece is called Craziness in the Library. Her piece is focused around college students who are trying to study and get distracted. Conrad is experiencing some unsuspected difficulties.
“Trying to incorporate your ideas with what the school is looking for is challenging,” Conrad said.
While each senior creates their own piece, they have several previews throughout the process so that dance performance faculty can give ideas and suggestions. The faculty members also try to form the shows so that they all fit together for the final compilation in October.
The show will be held Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium in the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $15.
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