Dance on the hill is nothing short of exceptional yet again this season. As the only institution in Kentucky accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, Western Kentucky boasts a number of talented dance students and creative faculty members who will be featured in the Dance Program’s upcoming annual spring concert, Evening of Dance. Performed by the WKU Dance Company, the concert features a mix of classical and contemporary dance in an array of da
nce genres and styles. While watching everything from ballet to modern, jazz to tap dance, audiences will be captivated by technical skill, beautiful artistry, and innovative choreography. This year’s concert explores a range of topics and themes.
The highlight of the performance is the world premiere of QUEENS, a modern jazz dance choreographed by guest artist Robert McKee. McKee is the artistic director of Inaside Dance Chicago. During his residency with the Dance Program, he created this new work showcasing strength and quiet power. While at WKU, McKee also taught a master class to students within the Department of Theatre & Dance. Sponsored by the Potter College Dean’s Office and the Honors College, this provided an invaluable opportunity for students to work with a professional artist and make a lasting professional connection.
Audiences will enjoy a contemporary pointe trio, Metanoia, choreographed by Assistant Professor Anna Patsfall, which requires the dancers to push the boundaries of classical ballet technique to reveal the power, independence, and individuality of the women on pointe. Patsfall’s second piece, In/Ex, broadly explores themes of struggle between conformity and individuality and the social/cultural/political pressures that dictate inclusion or exclusion of individuals, or whole groups of individuals, from different social hierarchies.
Assistant Professor Meghen McKinley presents two contrasting pieces. The first, Ardent Stillness, was originally set on Convergence Dance Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2017. McKinley’s Down Yonder, with music by Son House and John Lee Hooker, brings a bit of the grit, heart, and soul of the blues to the stage.
A rhythmically intense tap quartet, choreographed by Associate Professor Amanda Clark, entitled 4×4, is performed on wooden tap boards with music by the Vitamin String Quartet. Clark’s additional choreography, a new work entitled Here/Then…There/Now, features an athletic ensemble of jazz dancers and explores the theme of war and combat and its lasting emotional effects.
Additional works include choreography by part-time faculty Kylene Stephens and Artist-in-Residence Christa St. John. Divertimento is a collaborative work with original music composed by WKU Baker Professor of Music Brian St. John and choreography by Artist-in-Residence Christa St. John. The piece features balletic variations performed with live electronic music in a fusion of innovation and tradition.
The WKU Dance Company, the resident dance ensemble of the Department of Theatre & Dance, is comprised of 22 dance majors and minors. Faculty and students began working on this concert in January and view it as the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and dedication. The concert length is approximately 90 minutes. Performances will occur in Russell Miller Theatre within the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center on the WKU Bowling Green campus. Performances run April 27–30, 2018, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Monday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance at wku.showare.com or at the door.
Prior to the Sunday matinee, high school dancers are invited to participate in the Dance Program’s Dance Day event. More information on this as well as the 2018 WKU Summer Dance Intensive can be found on the Department of Theatre & Dance website, .
