'SpringDance '17' showcases original choreography in jazz, tap, African dance and more
Friday, March 17, 2017
MANHATTAN — A variety of new, fresh and entertaining dances created by Kansas State University dance faculty and performed by students will be presented at "SpringDance '17" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, in McCain Auditorium.
"SpringDance '17," a presentation of the university's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, features three pieces by Julie Pentz, associate professor of dance and director of the K-State dance program. The pieces include "Twister," a fast-paced jazz dance that pulled inspiration from the tornado that landed Dorothy's house in the "Wizard of Oz." Young children from the Tap to Togetherness program will portray munchkins in "Twister." Pentz's "Emerald" is an upbeat musical theatre-style tap piece that features the K-State Tap Dance Ensemble.
"There's No Place Like Home" is a hip-hop dance choreographed by legendary dancer and guest artist Dena Rizzo. Youth dancers from Kansas will join the K-State dancers on stage for the work. The dance program also has partnered with Purple Power Animal Welfare Society for a piece that will feature pups who are looking for forever homes.
Instructor of dance Stephen Loch's “Courage, Heart, Brains, Home" embarks on a journey from a place of naivety to understanding of what it really means to have courage, heart and brains, and how those qualities illuminate the idea of home.
Assistant professor of dance Kate Digby's works include "A Mysterious Forest," in which trees come alive and flying monkeys chase wandering souls as the good witch floats by. "Jitter Bugs" is a lighthearted play on the title. Four bugs jitter their way across the stage, eventually losing themselves in the joy of dancing.
Also at "SpringDance 2017," the K-State African Ensemble will feature "Fume Fume," a traditional African social dance new to the ensemble.
Also performing as part of a musical ensemble at "SpringDance '17" will be Stephen "Jack" Dyer, professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Cliff Hight, assistant professor and university archivist with K-State Libraries.
Tickets for "SpringDance '17" are available at the McCain Auditorium box office for $11-$16, with group discounts available. For information, contact Neill Dunn at neildunn@k-state.edu.
The following Kansas State University students are performing in "SpringDance '17"; student musicians also are indicated:
Makayla Weiser, junior in modern languages, Bonner Springs; Natalie Timmons, junior in animal sciences and industry, Cherokee; Ryan Moos, senior in music education, Clay Center; Megan Goeckel, freshman in microbiology, Council Grove; Mary Abounabhan, senior in management, Emporia; Cheyenne Ortner, junior in biology and pre-optometry, Garden City.
From Greater Kansas City: Abbey Sommerauer, junior in English, Leawood; Emma Deatherage, sophomore in communication sciences and disorders, Olathe; Brandon Hulet, junior in mechanical engineering, Olathe, musician; Olivia Mangual, freshman in business administration, Olathe; Jeremey Reynolds, junior in music education, Olathe, musician; Ellie Ward, freshman in pre-professional secondary education, Olathe; Allison Griffin, junior in psychology, Overland Park; Alyssa Klein, sophomore in pre-professional elementary education, Overland Park; Tiffani Lawrence, senior in secondary education-English and theatre, Overland Park; Glenna Vano, sophomore in psychology, Overland Park; and Hannah Yeoman, senior in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, Prairie Village.
Breanne Kruse, senior in biology and secondary education-biological sciences, Hays; Sam Shamburg, senior in music, Hiawatha, musician; Abby Crawford, sophomore in athletic training, Hugoton; Elissa Bergmeier, sophomore in kinesiology and pre-law, Hutchinson; Ian Boyd, sophomore in biology, Lake Quivira, musician.
From Manhattan: Shelton Burch, senior in English; Lucy Crowder, sophomore in environmental design; Taylor Hofeling, junior in psychology; Madison Long, senior in chemistry and pre-medicine; Natalie Longhurst, freshman in open option; Karis Pitts, junior in family studies and human services; Kareem Tippin, sophomore in music education, musician; and Kendra Truitt, junior in social work.
Hannah Stecklein, freshman in mechanical engineering, McPherson; Sarah Ludwick, senior in social work, Paola; Christian Martinez, junior in music education, musician, and Emma Snyder, freshman in theatre, both from Salina; Tressa Dekat, junior in chemical engineering, Topeka; Drew George, senior in theatre, Uniontown; and Eli Camp, senior in accounting and finance, Winfield.
From out of state:
From Colorado: Anabel Packard, sophomore in physical sciences, Castle Rock; Sierra Burnett, junior in anthropology, Colorado Springs; and Victoria Whitmore, junior in chemical engineering, Greeley.
Jenna Henderson, freshman in animal sciences and industry, Plainfield, Illinois; Kimberly Coussens, sophomore in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, Zionsville, Indiana.
From Missouri: Mar'Quel Collins, senior in animal sciences and industry, Florissant; and Chelsie Yokum, master's student in family studies and human services, Gladstone.
From Oklahoma: Nicole Boulanger, sophomore in pre-professional elementary education, Bartlesville; and Emma Hochman, freshman in political science, Norman.
From Texas: Katelyn Gehrt, sophomore in business administration, Cypress; and Sarah Pitzer, sophomore in communication sciences and disorders, Haltom City.
Hannah McGurk, freshman in kinesiology and pre-medicine, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
From out of country: Priscilla Brenes, master's student in public health, Costa Rica; Anurag Muthyam, senior in management information systems, India, musician; and Julia Chocarro Garcia, nondegree undergraduate in electrical engineering, Spain.
