University Dance Company concert explores theme of information overload

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Dance Firm will existing its Spring Concert on the web, highlighting the quite a few stimuli men and women practical experience as they transfer physically and nearly by means of the globe. Six KU Section of Theatre & Dance college members will current original choreography in present-day, ballet and hip-hop dance types. 

The no cost concert will debut on the net at 7:30 p.m. April 9 and continue being out there for viewing until 10 p.m. April 11. The website link is readily available on the dance department’s web site, dance.ku.edu.

The UDC Spring Concert will also spend tribute to Patrick Suzeau, professor of dance, who closes a 31-calendar year vocation at KU with his retirement in summertime 2021. He will current “Be Still… And Experience,” a combination of choreography and videography that explores isolation, from descent into darkness to ecstasy, and displays the realities of the pandemic.

Michelle Heffner Hayes’ choreographed get the job done, “Currents,” is inspired by principles from classic Chinese medication and the dance professor’s private experience with the exercise of qi gong. The title refers to the motion of water as well as electronic media current situations. This screendance characteristics scenography by Kelly Vogel, resident artist/educational affiliate, who is also credited for scenography on “Be Still… And Truly feel.”

James Moreno, associate professor of dance, also choreographed “Cubic,” which explores the relationship between humans and objects more exclusively, the objectification of individuals and the merging of men and women and the technologies they use. Scenic and costume style and design for this piece is by Rana Esfandiary, assistant professor of scenography, and lights style and design by Devan Ryan, MFA scholar in scenography from Lawrence.

Lecturer Ashley Brittingham will existing her ballet “Fragmented,” inspired by the difficult feelings in the course of an unprecedented era. Dancers stand for piano and orchestra competing from every other by applying angry broken chords in mix with lamenting melodies — but there is brightness. “Fragmented” characteristics costume style and design by Vogel and lighting design and style by Ryan, who are similarly credited on “When, Where Does It End?”

Waeli Wang, going to assistant professor, produced “When, Where Does It Conclusion?,” a present-day/modern day function diving into the information superhighways of cyberspace. This first piece highlights the will need to be often educated and the motivation to normally have one’s eyes “glued to the monitor.”

Lecturer Maya Tillman-Rayton provides an up-tempo, 3-area ensemble get the job done titled “Messaging.” It is a commentary of present functions, referencing the constant signaling of media figures and the outcome it has on Individuals by applying 2000’s hip-hop society. Rachel Bundstein, a senior in strategic communications from St. Louis, and Ryan are highlighted as costume and lights designer, respectively.

Also offered is “Rosas Remix,” an ensemble-primarily based contemporary perform choreographed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, tailored by Waeli Wang as a result of “The fABULEUS Rosas Remix Job.”

All UDC Spring Concert videography is by Bryce Heesacker and Gary Lange.

The College of Kansas Dance Company’s Spring Concert is supported in aspect by KU Scholar Senate. The College Dance Business is a manufacturing wing of KU’s Division of Theatre & Dance. Facts about its performances and auditions can be observed at dance.ku.edu.

The Department of Theatre & Dance is element of 3 departments in the School of the Arts. As element of the KU Higher education of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the College of the Arts gives contemporary choices for collaboration concerning the arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary scientific tests.