Dance Alabama! will perform their 14th show this Tuesday, Feb. 14 with a collaboration of new choreographers and dancers alongside the department’s veteran dancers. The student-choreographed show allows University students to showcase their various skills.
Cornelius Carter, director of the performance, said he was nervous about what the choreographers would bring this semester because so many seasoned choreographers left the University last semester.
“I’ve been amazed with the outcome,” Carter said. “I’ve been impressed with how the young choreographers in a quick period of time have found their voices. It’s quite refreshing.”
With 21 pieces of choreography, the show hopes to give audiences an entertaining evening that offers amusement, emotion and technique. According to the choreographers, the show embodies many different themes, from finding individuality among a society built on conformity to preserving memories.
Holly Gray, a junior majoring in dance, choreographed “Let the Games Begin.” She said she was inspired by the battle between the rights of an individual versus the limitations within society.
“I have them each struggle with the conformity and breaking away,” Gray said.
During her performance, she uses the entirety of Morgan Auditorium. One of the dancers, Alicia McGinty, climbs up the wall and then falls into her fellow dancers arms.
“The suspense and what comes of it is quite thrilling,” said Olivia Glenn, a senior majoring in dance.
Ashley Volner, the president of Dance Alabama! and a junior majoring in dance, choreographed a piece called “Holding these Memories of You.”
“Everyone in my piece represents someone significant in my life, except one represents me and one represents life,” Volner said. “It’s about preserving memories and not letting your memories control you. You can’t move forward if you’re stuck in the past.”
Alyssa Marks, a junior majoring in dance and choreographer of “Coherence,” said she designed her piece to reflect a bigger picture outside of selfishness and has each body working together as one. Along with her piece in the show, Marks said she brings this aspect into her leadership role as an upperclassman in the department of dance.
“It brings a sense of responsibility to make sure that I’m playing by the rules and setting a good example,” Marks said.
“Storm of the Heart,” choreographed by sisters Savannah and Vivian Reach, ends the show. The sisters, who are only one year apart at the University, have a connection beyond family that they share through choreography.
“Vivian inspires me to work harder and motivates me to push my limits in dance,” Savannah Reach said. “It’s great to have someone there who highlights your strengths.”
With the upcoming May graduation, the department is losing many dance majors. Senior Sara Turney, who choreographed the opening piece, “The Climb,” played off the idea of reaching for a goal. Turney said she and her dancers get closer through each rehearsal and she will miss the experience.
“It’s bittersweet,” Turney said. “I’m excited to move onto new things but it’s really sad.”
Starting Tuesday, performances will run nightly starting at 7:30 p.m., except Friday’s, which is at 5:30 p.m., and Saturday’s, which is at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the Gallaway Theater Box Office in Rowand-Johnson Hall or online at http://theatre.ua.edu/. Tickets are $12 for students, $15 for faculty, staff and senior citizens, and $18 for adults.
