Spring Break
Ensemble demonstrates powerful choreography
Jackie Essis
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
|
Many of the dances look deeply at people who have come and gone. Some portray the transient yet emotional stages of our lives and others illustrate the coming and going of reality.
The concert includes a total of ten dances - three arranged by professional choreographers and seven arranged by students.
Students greatly enjoy working with Dr. Miriam Giguere, the ensemble director. "Miriam is a creative visionary that treats her students like professionals and makes them excited to learn and continue working with her," Alicia Chew, one of the student performers, said.
"Borrowed Domains," the opening piece choreographed by Giguere, catches the audiences' attention with an unusual voice-over of ordinary arrivals and departures. The performers movements' mimic the words being spoken. Giguere broke the performance into sections and the piece repeats itself to J.S. Bach's music. The repetition of choreography lets the viewer recognize the daily arrivals and departures set to classical music.
The second piece, titled "Waiting in Terminal B," choreographed by student Sarah Meiklejohn, literally illustrates people in an airport terminal. The characters are all in different points in their lives, but for one brief moment their arrivals impact other's. The choreography is representative of the characters. For example, the movements of the child are dreamy because she has no care in the world.
Choreographers Alexis Dispenziere and Maria Nguyen brilliantly illustrate departures at different stages in life in the piece "Words Apart." The entire idea of the piece is meant to capture how worldly events may keep individuals from saying their last goodbyes. Quarreling lovers may never see each other if a natural disaster keeps them apart. A daughter leaving home to live on her own may never again say, "I love you mom," because of terrorist attacks. The piece dramatically infuses a life lesson - you may not get another chance to say how you feel. The choreography is full of powerful movements, and the music and video help set the tone of the impressive piece.
Setting the stage for "Zephyrean," choreographer Melinda Bendon illuminates the stage with surrealist artwork by Vladimir Kush. The choreography is very light and airy with motions similar to flying. The costumes, music and movements create a dreamlike appearance.
Be the first to comment on this story