The Department of Dance will present the dancEnsemble winter concert, “dancEnsemble: Move it or Lose it,” Friday and Saturday, March 23-24 in the Dance Production Theatre, 166 Richards Building, at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.
Tickets at $6 are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-7664 or at performances.byu.edu.
Unlike many performing groups at BYU, the modern dance-based dancEnsemble features student choreography that provides a range of moods, emotions and ideas.
“The ingenuity and creativity that is displayed through these choreographic works provide audiences with a whole new understanding of dance and performance,” according to artistic director Pat Debenham.
For example, using the poetry of Robert Frost, Esther Price has created a dance that is about “the essence of women.” The movement is layered with music and recorded text.
Along with student works, the program will also feature three works from BYU faculty members. Pat Debenham has reset his stunning piece, “For Caroline,” which displays a technical virtuosity that spans across genres and aesthetics.
Part-time faculty member Robin McLelland will present a premiere work that makes a humorous commentary on cell phones and the ever-growing communication problem that seems to have developed out of this “necessary appendage.”
Finally, Caroline Prohosky will also be reworking a portion of her moving work, “Onward, Alone,” which looks at the women who were left behind after the departure of the Mormon Battalion from the main group of pioneers who ultimately settled the Salt Lake Valley.
“This piece compliments the diversity of the concert, providing something for all ages and audiences,” said Debenham.
Writer: Brooke Eddington
