The Collegian
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Student collaboration, guest choreography jazzes up concert

The University Dancers has been preparing for its annual February concert, now just four weeks away, since the beginning of last semester. It has been working to perfect its 12-piece performance created by internationally known choreographers, two new dance faculty members and the dancers themselves.

This year's concert "Jazzed," which opens at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, with additional performances at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26, is unique not only because the company was able to invite six choreographers from outside the university to create pieces for the dancers thanks to an arts grant, but also because the dancers have been more involved than in previous years in creating their own work, said Anne Norman Van Gelder, assistant director of dance and artistic director for the University Dancers.

Senior Kate Reilly, the company's captain, said: "We have a lot more ownership than we've had in the past. People have been more comfortable with saying what they like and don't like. It's a more honest process."

As captain, Reilly acts as rehearsal director for the company piece "Forum," a collaborative effort by all 23 members of the University Dancers. "Forum," which was inspired by life as a student at Richmond and the interactions that occur in the University Forum, was created from a series of improvisational-movement workshops led by Matthew Thornton, a new member of the dance faculty, Van Gelder said.

Rather than approaching the work traditionally by choosing music first, then combining steps, the dancers explored different movements for a long time before choosing music, Van Gelder said.

"After a great deal of improvisation and finding what worked and didn't work, they have eventually set the choreography," she said.

Reilly said Thornton was a big reason the piece was more theirs.

Thornton choreographed an original piece for "Jazzed" with fellow new faculty member, Alicia Diaz, which will be danced by Reilly and company members Katie Branca and Nathan Watwood.

Reilly said that working with Thornton, a member of Pilobolus, and Diaz, formerly with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company, had been rewarding.

"They had that real-world, professional-dancing experience to share with us," she said. "They have made us more well-rounded dancers."

Also set to premiere in "Jazzed" are two senior-directed works by Katie Nunziata and Keely Naughton.

After the show closes, Nunziata and Naughton will show their pieces at the American College Dance Festival Association for the Mid-Atlantic region held at James Madison University Feb. 29 through March 4.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

The University Dancers will also perform Thornton and Diaz's piece at the festival.

Van Gelder said ACDFA, which the company attends every year, was an opportunity for students to see what work other colleges were doing, as well as an opportunity to perform.

The University Dancers has performed for the public once this year, during the Martin Luther King Day campus commemoration, said Lexie Peterson, a sophomore University Dancer.

Peterson said the dancers didn't perform more as frequently, because of the time it took to choreograph and practice all the dances.

Reilly agreed. "A lot of our friends don't understand what a big commitment it is," she said. "It's really great to get the chance to show people what we do all year, why we're so busy, why we can't do this or that because we have dance."

Reilly said the company had been involved in every aspect of creating the show from making the costumes to setting the stage and lights.

"It is very much a student-run organization," she said. "We really rely on each other: the faculty and the dancers, to make this piece come together.

Despite the faculty and dancers' large role in the production of "Jazzed," about half of the pieces in the performance have been created by choreographers outside the University of Richmond with help from the Tucker-Boatwright grant, which rotates each year within the art department.

The dancers learned pieces originally choreographed by internationally acclaimed choreographers, dancers and directors including Frank Chaves, the artistic director for River North Dance Chicago (RNDC); Bob Fosse, a Broadway dancer, choreographer and director; Billy Seigenfeld, founder of the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project; and Jenna McClintock, a former dancer for the Richmond and Oakland ballets, Van Gelder said.

"[The show] is really upbeat, jazz-themed, from beginning to end," Reilly said. "The energy is so high."

Peterson said one of her favorite dances was "Gruisin Suite," a piece that is in RNDC's repertoire. Mari Jo Irbe, RNDC's rehearsal director, set the piece on the University Dancers, but dancers also got to meet Chaves when the company performed at the University of Richmond Jan. 20-21.

Reilly said RNDC's show was one of the best she had ever seen at the Modlin Center for the Arts.

Audiences will also recognize the dance "Bye Bye Blackbird," from the Tony award-winning musical "Fosse." Bill Hastings, a longtime Broadway dancer who has also worked with Bob Fosse, set the piece on the University Dancers, Van Gelder said.

"When we invite guest choreographers to come set work on the University of Richmond," Van Gelder said, "they can either create a new work for our company, or they can choose to set a work that's in their repertoire. That's really a choice that we negotiate with each choreographer."

McClintock's piece, "Star Stuff," is one of five performances that will premiere at "Jazzed," and one of three pieces set to live music, she said.

Van Gelder said that working with the guest choreographers was not only an opportunity for the University Dancers, but also an opportunity for the community at large to see well-known works as well as world-premieres.

"It's the most fun performance that I have been a part of in all four years," Reilly said.

Contact staff writer Avery Shackelford at avery.shackelford@richmond.edu.

Support independent student media

You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the button below, which takes you to our secure PayPal account. The page is set up to receive contributions in whatever amount you designate. We look forward to using the money we raise to further our mission of providing honest and accurate information to students, faculty, staff, alumni and others in the general public.

Donate Now