On Fri., May 11 and Sat., May 12 at 7:00 P.M., Plymouth State University hosts the Spring 2012 Scholarship Concert in Hanaway Theater. Featured performers are the student members of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Original works choreographed by the PSU Dance Faculty and PSU Dance students will be performed.
The CDE practices throughout the semester, working on pieces brought together by the Dance faculty including Lisa Travis, Amanda Whitworth, Lenore Sousa, and a new addition in regards to tap, Sam MacNaughton. This group of very talented women sees dozens of students audition each semester and progress over the full school year until they perform a mixture of student and professional choreographies.
This semester, the CDE will perform two pieces, a group piece and a duet, choreographed by guest artist Charmain Wells, the artistic director of Refractions Dance Collective in New York City.
Adjunct Professor of Dance, Lisa Travis, is very excited for this semester’s performances. “The pieces are insane,” says Travis. “Amanda’s piece is really intense and a beautiful piece.”
Many of the performances are both danced and directed by graduating seniors, using this concert to showcase their final projects and skills. Some performing seniors who are presenting a piece include Tessa Hamza, Nicole Baroni, and Mackenize Perra and Jessica White, who will be collaborating together.
Travis, proud of the multitude of seniors she has watched grow over the years, looks forward to next week’s showcase. “There is a totally different feel than last semester,” Travis explains after complimenting her students on their improvement since last September.
Tickets will be sold at the Silver Center Box Office. Call 603-535-ARTS (2787) for more information or go to plymouth.edu/silver-center/buy-tickets/.