UK Dance Minor 'Captures Momentum'
Video courtesy of UK Department of Theatre and Dance.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2015) — Capitalizing on the growth of the dance program at the university, dance students of the University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance will leap into the semester with “Capture Momentum,” the program’s fourth annual dance concert, Jan. 30–Feb. 1, at Guignol Theatre.
“Capture Momentum” includes performances by UK dance minors performing works by guest choreographers Derrick Evans, Theresa Bautista and Stephanie Harris as well as by Susie Thiel, the director of the UK Dance Program.
Derrick Evans’ work, “11,” is a jazz dance set on 11 dance minor students that takes place in the near future on top of a skyscraper as the sun is about to rise. The sleek arrangement of the song “Here Comes The Sun,” the vocals of Nina Simone and this talented cast of dancers inspired the movement. Evans has danced in both the concert world and the commercial world, as well as with Michael Jackson.
Without identity, are we significant asks Louisville-based choreographer Theresa Bautista as she questions the relevance of identity in her new work, “Signification,” set on seven dancers. Her descripton of the piece on the Caputre Momentum website: "Who we are begins with the mentoring and teaching from others and continues to be shaped by our personal experiences from choices we make. Whether we accept or reject the labels others use to define us, we often cannot escape them. As we struggle to find our place in the world, memorabilia is collected signifying important markers in our lives. In the end what may define us most is what we leave behind for others."
Lexington artist Stephanie Harris’ work “Confluence” begins with an examination of the balance between our internal and external dialogue and how they both play a powerful role in relationships. The website description of the work: "Often times the things we tell ourselves and what we tell others differ to some degree based upon our perception or certain truths that we create for ourselves to provide structure for our lives and how we navigate through them. The first section references compromise as the movement vocabulary provides an opportunity to examine how we push, pull and organize our lives to not only suit ourselves, but those that we wish share our lives with. The second section is a focus on commitment and tradition. As the work progresses different relationships are presented and through the movement we examine the deep connection that is present within a relationship or union. In the third section, the piece references the work of our commitments to marriage, family and children and how nurturing all of those things can be our greatest challenge, but also where our most satisfying reward is found."
“Shame: A Fragrance by Calvin Klein” is a duet which explores the various shades of shame from the humorous to the poetic to the deeply personal. It is described as "Inspired by memory, humiliation and the private realms of humanity, this work encompasses a mixture of vignettes of moving, speaking and singing bodies. The two characters express shared experiences and their own individual exposed snapshots of shame." The work was created in collaboration by Thiel and dance minor seniors Lester Gibbs and Megan Jellison, both of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The work first premiered at the 2014 American College Dance Festival at the University of Arkansas and received first runner up to attend the American College Dance National Conference.
This concert's name is quite appropriate, as the UK Dance Program has enjoyed great growth, or momentum, since being added to the UK College of Fine Arts. The minor has become tremendously popular, drawing students from various majors in eight colleges across campus. At its inception the dance minor had six students and in less than three years has grown to more than 60 students. This growth led to a name change in the department last summer to UK Department of Theatre and Dance.
“Capture Momentum” will be presented 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Admission is $10 for students and $15 for general public. Tickets are available through the Singletary Center ticket office and can be purchased online at www.scfatickets.com or by phone at 859-257-4929.
The UK Department of Theatre and Dance at UK College of Fine Arts has played an active role in the performance scene in Central Kentucky for more than 100 years. Students in the program get hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship from a renowned professional theatre faculty. The liberal arts focus of their bachelor's degree program is coupled with ongoing career counseling to ensure a successful transition from campus to professional life.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu