November 27, 2017

Dance company to present winter concert

wallace-dance The 2017 Winter Works dance concert will feature seven new works choreographed by dance faculty and student artists. This work, “Sphere of Blue,” was choreographed by Sally Wallace, professor of visual and performing arts, for 2017 Spring Works. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University Contemporary Dance Company on Dec. 8-9 will present its Winter Works Dance Concert.

The dance company will present seven new selected works by dance faculty and student artists. All the dances use original sound created by sound students in the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts.

“This December’s performance includes works addressing coming-of-age ceremonies, cultural assumptions around power, science fiction scenarios, unusual props and pure movement dynamics,” said Holly Jaycox, continuing lecturer of dance and one of the choreographers.

There will be a 7:30 p.m. performance each evening along with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 9. The performances will be presented in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in the Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts. Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for students and $7 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the Pao Box Office, Ticketmaster or by phone at 765-494-3933.

The dances are:

* Professor Carol Cunningham-Sigman’s work “Dispatched” depicts imagined sea creatures beneath the shell of the moon, Europa.

* “Translucent Giddiness” is a new choreographic work from dance instructor Kathleen Hickey. It explores micro-aggressions that turn into macro movement and features eight female dancers.

* A new work titled “Balance on a Spinning Planet” by Jaycox. It explores relationships adapting in order to navigate a changing world.

* “Single Use Items & Disposable Movements,” choreographed by Renee Murray, visiting assistant professor. It combines 10 performers and approximately 150 single use items. The dancers and objects create design in space, continually arranging and rearranging each other resulting in an abstract dance repurposing trash into art.

* Dance instructor Mary Beth Van Dyke choreographed “The Long Haul,” a modern dance work depicting dancers exploring the physicality of finding inspiration and motivation when faced with challenges.

* Kelly Kennedy, a senior majoring in math with computer science and minoring in economics, created a dance called “Hushed Lines.” It explores how contrasting ideas such as tension and release, chaos and control, and uncertainty and confidence can influence movement. This is Kennedy’s first work for the main stage.

* Sibonginkosi Ncube, a senior majoring in agronomic business and marketing, crops science choreographed a new work titled “Age 13, 7 Crossed.” It explores the challenges, responsibilities, and bliss that people can experience when they reach adulthood. It is inspired by South African culture and is Ncube’s second work for the main stage.

Writer: Kelsey Schnieders, kschnied@purdue.edu

Source: Karla Welchans, secretary, division of dance and music, kwelchan@purdue.edu

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