Press Release written by: Sarah Vanyo
This December, members of The Gustavus Dance Company and other student dancers will perform the annual Choreographers’ Gallery, Kinetic Tapestry, a collaboration of innovative and aesthetic movement choreographed entirely by students. The student choreographers, chosen through a highly selective process for exhibiting advanced skills in creative choreographic work, will present their work on the Anderson Stage at Gustavus Adolphus College on December 11 and 12 at 8:00 p.m. and December 13 at 2:00 p.m. For this performance, the stage will be reconfigured as a proscenium with seating placed on the thrust, creating proximity and intimate viewing for the audience. This set up will also allow the choreographers and student designers to work with side lighting, not available on the original thrust stage. The concert will feature a broad spectrum of compelling pieces created by Sara Bitton ’16, Audi Dickey ’16, Kate Dudley ’17, Laura Johnson ’16, Nicole McGuigan ’17, McKayla Murphy ’16, Sami Rae ’17, Allie Retterath ’18, Dana Riebe ’17 and Karolina Stark ’17.
Kinetic Tapestry highlights a range of unique styles, and the dancers provoke a wide range of emotions. The concert will feature pieces by four talented seniors. There will be a piece called Enough to Feel, by Sara Bitton, depicting the positive and negative voices inside one’s head, and the detriments that occur when the negative voice becomes overpowering. There will be a striking piece by Audi Dickey on human sex trafficking, titled Interrupted Lives. Additionally, there will be a modern jazz piece by Laura Johnson, titled twisting blues, on a saturday night. The piece portrays a 70s rhythm and blues dance club scene. Finally, there will be a captivating trio, Finding Peace by Mckayla Murphy in which she explores the process of breaking away from the pressures and opinions many young people in their 20s suffer with making “the right” decision.
Melissa Rolnick will serve as the artistic director of Kinetic Tapestry. Faculty Micah Maatman will serve as production manager. Faculty members Melissa McConnell and Terena Wilkins will serve as design advisors for lighting, sound and costumes, respectively.
Performances of Kinetic Tapestry will be presented on the Anderson Stage, December 11 and 12 at 8:00 p.m. and December 13 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.gustavustickets.com or by calling 507-933-7590. Due to the limited seating, advance ticket purchase is advised.
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