WSU dance program to feature diverse choreography
The Wichita State University Dance Ensemble will present a spring concert of faculty and guest choreography. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 13-14, in Miller Concert Hall.
WSUDE is now part of the Kansas Arts Commission’s touring program and is the first college performing company to be sponsored by the commission.
"The evenings promise to deliver the diversity and energy characteristic of the program itself," says C. Nicholas Johnson, WSU’s director of dance.
Della Davidson spent three weeks teaching and setting an original modern dance at WSU called "Quiet Rowdy" to the music of Aaron Copland. Davidson is an internationally acclaimed choreographer who works out of San Francisco and creates original works for professional dance companies worldwide.
Cheyla Clawson, a WSU dance program alumna, created an original dance theater work called "Finding Jane" for the concert.
Guest lecturer Sabrina Vasquez, who has enjoyed a professional career as a Hubbard Street dancer and many ballet company engagements, has created a fiery duet, "Two in the City."
Jamie Jacobson, director of dance, University of Central Oklahoma, was commissioned to choreograph "Within Reach," a lyrical modern dance trio with three women and three benches.
Denise Celestin, WSU associate professor, is restaging her work "Three Bagatelles," a ballet she created to original music composed by her father.
Teressa McWilliams, WSU assistant professor, is creating a new modern work with seven dancers.
Johnson has re-choreographed "Forward Momentum" for nine dancers, a work that deals with the struggle to move forward. The piece blends mime theater and dance into a gestural expression of movement and thought. The music is the "Art of Noise" by Dave Grusin, with an original percussion composition by Gary Boggess.
Call 978-3233 to reserve tickets. Prices start at $9 with discounts available.
