Even more than most of us, dancers must be aware of the gravity of their situations. On the Van Duzer Theatre stage, the HSU dancers will “play with gravity, wrestle with it, negotiate it and define it,” dance director Sharon Butcher said.
The result is “Gravity Defined”: 45 dancers in 10 dances ranging from tango to hip hop, postmodern to ballet, choreographed by HSU students and faculty.
For example, “Energized Matter,” based on the flow of electricity, is a mix of hip-hop, modern dance and acrobatics by student Micol Arias, who trained with the East Los Angeles Let’s Dance Company before coming to HSU. “Making Contact” explores connections between dancers in the free contact dance spaces called jams. Choreographer Aren Rye draws upon movement training in tai chi, yoga and martial arts as well as ballet and modern dance.
“El Amor con Tres Puntos” by Faith Gomes explores dynamics among lovers, while “Siren Song” by Keili Simmons Marble portrays five sensuous sirens caught unawares in a forest glen. “Magnetic Mama” by Natalie Daughton displays powerful bonds among members of a modern urban tribe.
The concert features three dances by student choreographers invited to the northwest American College Dance Festival Conference earlier this spring: “A Step Behind” by Kara Ajetunmobi, “Elevated Contour” by Lyndsey Lascheck and “ In This Place” by Jacqueline Bookstein.
Faculty contributions are “Tribal Echoes,” a sensual and athletic dance about power and sacrifice by HSU dance teacher Linda Maxwell, and “Sonic Riff,” a kinetically charged dance that knits together explosive movement and athletic partnering, by Sharon Butcher, Director of the HSU Dance Studies program.
The dances will be enhanced by scenic and costume design. “Our choreographers get to work with designers on alternate years, and this is one of those years,” Butcher explained. “With those elements and a variety of large and small ensemble dances, we’re putting together what I think will be a visually stunning show.”
“Something that’s different this year,” Sharon Butcher added, “is the presence of some talented freshmen and sophomores in our spring concert. This level of accomplishment doesn’t usually happen until junior or senior year. So that’s exciting not only for this year, but for years to come.”
Gravity Defined is performed Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM for two weekends, April 14-16 and 21-23 in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. $10/$8, with limited number of free seats to HSU students at each performance, from the HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Sharon Butcher, produced by HSU Department of Theatre, Film & Dance. http://HSUStage.blogspot.com.