On Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, PSU hosted the Contemporary Dance Ensemble Fall 2011 Concert in Hanaway Theater at the Silver Center. The show consisted of nine choreographed dances by students and faculty, collaboration with the Dance Lighting class, a slideshow of quotes from student performers between each number, and direction by Amanda Whitworth.
The dances consisted of roughly 30 performers, ages ranging from first years all the way to one master’s student. Featured types of dances such as contemporary jazz and tap illustrated the multiple skills of each student, especially the choreographers who blended modern music, intricately chosen costumes, practiced moves, and their own grouping of performers. Featured choreographers included many talented performers from the pieces such as seniors Mackenzie Perra and Ryan LeBlanc and PSU Dance faculty Lisa Travis, Lenore Sousa, and Samantha Vachon.
The night began with a “zombie” type production entitled “Eerie Fantasy”, a wonderful way to kick off the night’s performances. From there was a sassy performance of Lady Gaga’s “You and I”, choreographed by Vachon and Perra’s highly energized piece called “The Things We’ve Carried”, featuring nine other dancers besides herself. This piece had the most exemplary connectivity with exceptional moves, Perra having been inspired by the corps. Following Perra’s piece were a very sweet and surprisingly emotional tap solo and the largest number of the night, “A Personality Unknown”, choreographed by Lenore Sousa. The piece centered on split personalities, with a grouping of women cast as either “Persona Benevolent” or “Persona Malevolent” and the single male dancer considered “The Catalyst”. With music by Apocalyptica, the tone of the dance was both enchanting and troubling. It definitely served its purpose on reaching out to the audience. If Perra’s dance exuded control and strength, this one conveyed a sense of disturbing beauty.
Continuing the show was LeBlanc’s piece “Some Serious Scheibe”, featuring music from Lady Gaga and Beyonce. LeBlanc featured three female dancers as well as himself to create a piece about “freedom and letting yourself take control of your own life.” The trio of “new little monsters” gave a strong performance full of girl power. LeBlanc was very grateful for this opportunity. “After all the nights of scratching movements into a journal and the help of these three talented young women, I was able to create some serious scheibe.”
The last three pieces were a duet choreographed by senior Jessica Martin called “Guardian Angel”, an interesting piece using some controlled, almost robot like movements called “This is Not Your Mind” choreographed by senior Jessica White, and a sparkling finale choreographed by Lisa Travis. Travis’s piece was packed with plenty of sequins, a disco ball, a scooter, and plenty of attitude, featuring music by KC and the Sunshine Band, Spice Girls, and Donna Summer. Her entertaining trio of dances provided an enjoyable and uplifting end to an inspiring night.
Both choreographers and performers did a wonderful job at providing plenty of emotional scenes and gorgeous moves for the audience to absorb. Perra, who was featured in five numbers, felt “rushed because of the show date, but felt good by the end. Things just came naturally, and we had a strong platform.”
Congratulations to all who contributed to the show on a wonderful night of contemporary movement. Also, keep an eye out for the annual Plymouth State University Dance Premier happening in the spring on Saturday, February 4th, 2012.