The Ohio University Dance Division in the School of Dance, Film, and Theater will present the Fall Senior Dance Concert Nov. 16-18 at 7 and 9 p.m. each evening in the Shirley Wimmer Dance Theater.
The Ohio University Dance Division in the School of Dance, Film, and Theater presents the annual “Fall Senior Dance Concert,” the culminating project for B.F.A. dance majors, to be presented Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 16-18, at 7 and 9 p.m. each evening in the Shirley Wimmer Dance Theater, located in Putnam Hall at Ohio University.
This fall, five seniors employ their unique perspectives in newly created choreographic works, performed by individuals or groups as described in the following brief synopses.
Caroline Ciferno’s solo work “How About, I Try” is a meditation on the inability to find a full and robust way of communicating. The work inhabits two vastly different forms of communication: verbal language and physical expression. With live music from percussionist Seth Alexander, the work invites us to open our eyes and minds to all that can be communicated, within the lines and between the body.
“Between,” choreographed by Lily Gelfand, is a multidisciplinary work featuring five performers. “Between” utilizes choreographed and improvised movement, paired with a live sound score by Gelfand and percussionist Seth Alexander to explore elements of improvisation in nontraditional spaces. “Between” not only aims to combine sound and movement, but reimagines the concept of in-between or liminal spaces, from the psychological and emotional to the physical and concrete. The piece is an investigation of how structures—porches, hallways and living rooms—influence movement and human behavior to evoke memory and emotion.
“Arcadia,” choreographed by senior B.F.A. dance major Caitlin Morgan, comments on the passivity of spatial privilege during times of conflict. By highlighting contrasting archetypes of discomfort, apathy and confrontation, the constantly morphing vignettes nod to the wide range of experiences found in watching tragedy safely from behind a technological or geographic barrier. “Arcadia,” set to the haunting, folksy sounds of The Happy Maladies, encourages the audience to question their engagement in a world which seems to perpetuate division and negativity.
“Acquiescence,” choreographed by Samantha Miller, delves into the abstraction of the five stages of grief through emotionally-led movement. After being inspired by a sentimental piece of woodwork, Miller explores how internal emotion can manifest in the body and can then be physicalized into thought-provoking, non-narrative movement.
“Interlude 1:9” is a group work choreographed by senior B.F.A. dance major Benjamin Roach in collaboration with the cast. This piece examines spatial and kinetic probability formulated from a series of patterned numeric scales, accompanied by the continuous drive of Kai Schumacher’s rendition of “Electric Counterpoint I.” The investigative work unravels and reveals interconnected relationships while swaying through incremental peelings of kinesthetic correspondence.
Tickets to this event are free to student with a valid OHIO ID, thanks to support from Arts for Ohio, and $8 for general admission. For tickets, contact the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium Ticket Office at (740) 593-1780.
This article was provided by the College of Fine Arts.