Dance Alabama! will be returning to the stage this week showcasing the talent of the University’s dance program. The student-run, student-choreographed dance recital features students from all majors with a passion for dance and has been in the works since the first week of classes.
This year’s preparations started in a room with more than 100 dancers auditioning for a spot in one of the selected choreographers’ dances. Dancers could be in up to three pieces, and choreographers selected around 80 dancers total to perform in the recital.
Rehearsing for two hours a week since August, the students have been trying to balance the work load in the studio and in the classroom. For Cara Sharpe, a freshman majoring in marketing, the time management came unexpectedly.
“I didn’t realize how much of a time commitment it was, especially because I’m a freshman, and I’m just getting involved in everything, Sharpe said. “But, by all means, it’s not bad, and I’ve learned how to handle it, and it’s all working out.”
Maci Arms, a senior majoring in dance, choreographed her first piece this semester. She has danced in three Dance Alabama! productions and has loved getting to know different students with a common passion. Arms said she struggled to get the nerves to choreograph.
“It was never something I wanted to do, but I decided to try it. Thankfully it worked out for the best and has definitely been an experience,” Arms said.
Choreographers must submit a piece to faculty members who then compile a diverse showing for the recital. Vivian and Savannah Reach, two senior sisters both majoring in dance, have choreographed a piece together for every recital but one since their freshman year. This year, the two were challenged to do something new together.
“Our pieces are usually very technical, and we use a lot of legs and partnering with boys,” Savannah said. “The technique is very apparent. We were challenged to do a dance that does not have legs as a showcase but use movements that are very constrained. Our dance is very different than anything we’ve ever done before.”
Dance Alabama! gives students an opportunity to share their talent and stretch their own abilities. Each of the dancers said they are excited to perform on stage with an audience and have people relate to their art. For Vivian, dance is a deeper form of expression.
“I don’t really like to talk,” Vivian said. “I’m a very shy person. Dance is a way to let go of all the emotions inside of me that I don’t say.”
The choreographers use Dance Alabama! as an opportunity to bring their individual style and tastes to the stage. Each choreographer has a different trademark, story to tell and source of inspiration. Hannah King, a senior choreographer majoring in dance and political science, said to be successful, a choreographer must be versatile while remaining unique.
“Every choreographer has their own vocabulary,” King said. “We are encouraged in our years here to find our own choreographic voice so that anyone who is performing your work would be able to attach it to you.”
King’s piece is a solo based on breaths and pauses. She said she finds it refreshing to add unexpected stillness. Her movements are freeing and based on the motto “dance to dance.”
Arms’ piece is a take on classic musical theater with inspiration from Bob Fosse, who choreographed the original Broadway production of “Chicago.” Her dancers will be in character heels performing intricate and complex moves.
The Reach sisters’ dance is inspired by a piece they saw in New York about industrialization. Their dance features five women and showcases the power of women through sharp, robotic movements that combine the technicality of ballet with the strength of hip-hop.
Hilary Schaff, a senior dancer majoring in dance and president of Dance Alabama!, said the audience should look for different aspects in the performance depending on the style. Some are more technically difficult and can be appreciated for the moves the dancers are doing. Others can be a simpler work focusing on the emotions created by the atmosphere.
“Be open to let yourself be absorbed by it and see where it takes you and not why or what it is,” Schaff said. “Then after think about how it made you feel and what you got out of it.”
