Brigham Young University’s Department of Dance will present the dancEnsemble fall concert Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Richard’s Building Auditorium. There will also be a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Tickets at $6 are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-7664 or at byuarts.com/tickets.
Unlike many performing groups at BYU, the modern dance-based dancEnsemble focuses on original student and faculty choreography that provides a range of moods, emotions and ideas. The concert, titled “Vital Signs,” is helmed by artistic director Pam Musil.
One highlight of the concert will be Esther Hopkin’s “The Storm Before the Calm.” The dance “explores the phenomenon in which we often find ourselves of feeling overly anxious in the midst of calm around us,” according to Hopkin.
“Although accompanied by powerfully soothing music, individual dancers find themselves struck in their own anxiety, unable to see outside themselves,” said Hopkin. “After wrestling through their inward struggles, they finally find succor in those around them.”
Student choreographer Kacey Schnider drew inspiration from the music and storylines of “The Pink Panther.” The dance, titled “Something Is Missing,” will feature the Panther’s iconic music and five determined, yet aloof detectives as they take on the task of tracking down their thief.
The performance will also include “As We Are” choreographed by faculty member Kristen Jeppsen Groves, “Without You” by choreographed by faculty member Nathan Balser, “Uncovering Love” by student choreographer Heather Gemperline, “It Takes Courage” by student choreographer Rachelle Allan and dancers, “Enclosed” by student choreographer Lacie Norton, “feeture” by student choreographer Chelsea Alley, “Eternal Ties” by student choreographer Claudia Olvia, “Rachel’s Hands” by student choreographer Katelynn Reed, “A Mundance Morning” by student choreographer Shane Davis and dancers, “Wrestle to Release” by student choreographer Esther Hopkin, “Complexities of Secrets” by student choreographer Karissa Swain, and “Splitting The Sky In Two” by student choreographer Allie Limas.
For more information, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348, ken_crossley@byu.edu.
Writer: Preston Wittwer
