Russell H. Miller Theatre, FAC
April 18-21, 2024
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm
Sunday Matinee, 2pm
In 1974, the first Evening of Dance mainstage concert was presented on the hill at Western Kentucky University. At that time, the only dance degree offered by the university was a minor in dance; it would be years before the bachelor’s degree was implemented. Fifty years later, the WKU Dance Program has grown tremendously. Offering a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Minor in Dance, the Dance Program is home to a mix of dance majors, minors, and students training in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance from not only Kentucky but the surrounding states. Western Kentucky University’s Department of Theatre and Dance flourishes on the hill as the only institution in Kentucky accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance.
We invite you to see our talented WKU Dance Company in action during our 50th anniversary performance of Evening of Dance. This unique concert features choreography by current WKU dance faculty, a variety of our dance alumnus, and work by Karen Mareck-Grundy, artistic director of Mareck Dance out of Columbia, Missouri. Choreography ranges in genre and style from contemporary ballet to upbeat jazz, modern dance to the driving rhythms of tap dance and Bharatanatyam. This concert is designed in such a way to recognize and honor students and faculty who have helped shape the WKU Dance Program over the years.
Evening of Dance will feature a total of nine choreographic works. Professor Amanda Clark and Dance Program Coordinator share two pieces in this concert. Moving Forward, a tap dance trio originally created in 2016, sets the tone for the concert, reminding us all of the transitions that occur in life – especially as one graduates college. Here/Then… There/Now is an explosive jazz dance that reflects on our veterans who struggle with PTSD. The work, which originally premiered in 2019, serves as a call to stand with those who have stood for us. Majisimo is a classical ballet by famed Cuban choreographer Jorge García. This ballet is reset by Associate Professor Anna Patsfall and explores all the dynamics and virtuosity of Cuban ballet, while drawing inspiration from the traditions of Spanish dance. home, choreographed by Associate Professor Meghen McKinley, is a contemporary modern piece choreographed in four distinct sections that develop a thread of connectivity and unification. Each section represents a different type of home or variation due to perception. It is what our experiences are that often make us feel separated but in turn help us build our own version of what home is and what we want it to be. We are excited to showcase the original choreography of national guest artist Karen Mareck-Grundy. During Mareck Dance’s Bowling Green residency, Mareck-Grundy and company member and Bowling Green native Ashleigh Sewell, reset company repertoire on our WKU dancers. These, That, and Those explores the notion of embracing our unique identities while uniting collectively for the betterment of the world.
An exciting addition to this year’s choreographers includes four alumni artists who have returned to the hill for one more adventure with us. Shyama Iyer (WKU 2018), Mitchell Haley (WKU 2013), Jessica Tenbusch (WKU 2012), and Stephen Loch (WKU 2006) each brought their rich professional and creative experience to share with our students and composed choreography that will captivate audiences. Iyer’s work, How to Play a Trick, utilizes a hybrid between Indian classical, Indian folk, and contemporary dance. In reflecting on her work, Iyer reminds us that, “Sometimes, tricks are light: a push, a joke, a game – these kinds of tricks weave themselves into childlike play and swell into joyful dance. Other times, the tricks cut deep. They leave the trickiest befuddled, wondering what was true, and what was just fun.” In contrast, Loch’s choreography, Parallel Universe, is a contemporary dance piece exploring a single relationship in three parallel universes or alternate realities. This piece examines the question, “What outcomes would change if different choices were made?” Parallel Universe addresses themes of support and comfort, community, grief and loss in an attempt to cope with situations beyond our control. Haley’s contemporary jazz choreography, Hands of Time, explores time and the relationship of how we ebb and flow through life. Central within his work is the concept of how one weaves through their everyday routine yet intersects with the pathways of others. His work asks, “But, what happens when our time is up? Does time actually stop for us, or does it keep moving but just transformed into another molecular state of being?” Tenbusch’s tap choreography, Orbits and Revolutions, is set to the popular song “Satellite” by the Dave Matthews Band. Revolutions of circular sound and motion come to life in Tenbusch’s exploration into the art of tap dance, utilizing five tap dancers as they rhythmically leap from one wooden tap board to the next. Altogether, the concert provides an opportunity for reflective thought for audiences as well as compelling energy, strong technical virtuosity, and sheer entertainment.
This anniversary performance features many additional unique elements. The concert will open with a video montage of past WKU dance artists and memories and conclude with a finale performance showcasing alumni and current students followed by a special video tribute to dancer and educator Beverly Veenker, a true pioneer of the WKU Dance Program. Our celebration will also include memorabilia presented in the Russell Miller Theatre lobby, a special Alumni and Future Hilltopper Day of Dance, and a meet and greet of alumni and dance faculty.
The WKU Dance Program is excited to showcase current dancers and celebrate our alumni and programmatic accomplishments on the hill. We hope you will join us for a performance of this anniversary edition of Evening of Dance. The concert length is approximately two hours in length with an intermission. Performances will occur in Russell Miller Theatre within the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center on the WKU Bowling Green campus. Performances run April 18-21, 2024, at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2pm on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance at wku.showare.com or at the door.
The WKU Dance Program also invites high school students interested in the WKU Dance Program to participate in our 2024 WKU Summer Dance Intensive. Applications for this event are open now! The intensive is designed to aid intermediate to advanced dancers (grades 9-12) in becoming “thinking artists.” Dancers will have the opportunity to study techniques such as ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance, along with coursework such as pointe, dance improvisation, dance history, and world dance forms. Daily discussions and events will highlight special interest topics designed to help prepare and inspire the pre-professional dancer. The intensive will culminate in a performance featuring university faculty and guest artist choreography. The week-long program will offer dancers the unique opportunity to explore college-level dance and all of what the WKU Dance Program has to offer. For more information about the Dance Program and events, visit https://www.wku.edu/theatre-and-dance/.
Ticket Information:
April 18-21, 2024, Russell H. Miller Theatre, FACThursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm CST
Sunday at 2pmAdults $16
Students/Seniors (62+) $12
WkU.showare.com
-submitted by WKU Dance Program
