APRIL 9, 2009 ISSUE
Appalachian Dance Ensemble Presents Annual Spring Concert April 22 to 25
Brittany Wetzel is a choreographer and dancer in the upcoming Appalachian Dance Ensemble spring concert to be held Wednesday to Saturday, April 22 to 25, at Valborg Theatre. Photo by Steve Clarke
Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents its annual spring performance Wednesday through Saturday, April 22 to 25, at 7:00 p.m. each night in Valborg Theatre. Tickets are available online at www.dance.appstate.edu or by calling 828-262-3063; the cost is $10 for the public and $6 for students.
This year’s recital features eight original pieces choreographed and performed by students and faculty from ASU. Kayla Haver, the choreographer of “Our Last Day as Children” and a dancer in “The Journey of a Thistle,” explained that her inspiration derived from her experiences as a camp counselor last summer.
“It came out of the concept of being a kid again, of feeling young at heart,” Haver said. She smiled enthusiastically as she described the dancers in this year’s ensemble. “It’s kind of like a little family—we always take care of each other,” she said.
Other pieces include “Remember Me as a Time of Day,” a powerful, dynamic piece choreographed by Brittney Wetzel and performed by Samantha Filipowski, Dani Harris, Molly Kirkpatrick, Anna Maynard, Jessie Maynard, Katie Mebane, Rachel Snipes, Blair Stone and Ali Tew.
“Chaos for Closure,” choreographed by Lauren Childs and Olivia Parris, is performed by Carisa McMillan, Farrah Willett, Brittany Wetzel, Carrie Harding, Skylar Brown-Thompson and Sarah Austin.
Kerry Dunlap’s piece, “Chaotic Ignorance,” is a commentary on “man’s fear of what he does not understand,” and uses a combination of modern and urban styles. It is danced by Chris Maloney, Jessica Mayela, Katie Mebane, John Michael, Maggie Rogge, Laura Peiffer, Katie Shannan, Vera Wozeah and Victoria Wozeah.
“Om Bhur: Seven Landscapes of Consciousness” is the work of faculty choreographer Emily Daughtridge and musician Shawn Roberts. The live music is used to explore Chakras, the energetic centers of the body, and is performed by Justina Brinkley, Anna Cox, Joanna Faulkenberry, Sara Gallivan, Carrie Harding, Kasey Lowry, Anna Maynard, Molly Morgan, Holly Roark, Kelly Sullivan, Tara Wicker and Ashley Willingham.
Susan Lutz explores the constantly changing personal dynamics within large groups in her piece, “Snapshot,” danced by Steve Boykin, Lauren Childs, Joanna Faulkenberry, Dani Harris, Crystal Harvell, Carisa McMillan, Jessica O’Keefe, Olivia Parris, Brooke Rideout, Rachel Snipes, Jordan Westra.
In “The Journey of a Thistle,” Molly Morgan’s piece, dancers Natalie Anthony, Sarah Austin, Emma Cain, Kayla Haver, Molly Kirkpatrick and Laura Peiffer present the struggle of conflicting thoughts.
The last performance of the evening will be “Visible Web,” choreographed by Sherone Price and performed by Natalie Anthony, Megan Eichinger, Samantha Filipowsko, Rebecca Jones, Lisa Mahedy, Jessie Maynard, Meagen McAndrew Amy Patrylick, Meaghan Philbrook, Maggie Rogge, Kate Shannanhan, Katie Shoaf, Kelly Taylor, Vera Woazeah and Victioia Woazeah.
Many of the choreographers are also dancers in the ensemble. Haver said she uses her choreographing skills to “express what I want to see in dance, and what I can inspire others to feel.”
Daughtridge, a faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Dance, said, “This year’s concert is diverse, and very strong both in the performers and the choreographers.”
For more information about Appalachian Dance Ensemble, click to www.dance.appstate.edu or call 828-262-3063.
Want To Go?
Date: Wednesday through Saturday, April 22 to 25
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Valborg Theatre, ASU
Cost: $10 public/$6 students
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