2008 Woodie Awards
High kicks and calculated motion in a moving presentation
Humboldt State's dance production, "Pure Abstractions," inspired by the creative forces all around
Kiefer, Sally
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Campus
Primordial beginnings, mathematical concepts, and '60s dance moves jumping out of a human-sized TV will all be connected at Humboldt State's Spring Dance production, "Pure Abstractions."
This year's dance production has more collaboration with musicians than in recent years. Original compositions by students and community members, and live accompaniment with bands make up most of the show.
Tara Lihn, dance major senior and choreographer, said she was walking by a music room and heard Carista Labolle playing the piano. Lihn asked her if she'd like to collaborate and write a song that she could put movement to. Lihn will dance with Lela Annotto-Pemberton in a piece called "Head and Heart," with music composed by Labolle.
Lihn also choreographs the '60s dance spoof, "Gosh It's Fun: How to be Fruggin' Groovy!" It is a collaboration with a photographer and DJ and is inspired by a '60s instructional dance book by dancer "Killer" Joe Piro. "We have brought the book back to life," Lihn said. "The photographer has remastered the pictures from the book. The DJ gives it a new 60's twist. And the set designer has made a life-sized TV."
Annotto-Pemberton collaborated with math major Kyle Falbo to create a dance using math concepts to calculate how to move the dancers inside a space. Her piece "Permutations" received high praise at this year's American College Dance Festival conference in Salt Lake City.
Jerry Sweeney, dance major junior, also dances in "Permutations," and is choreographing a piece called "The Order of (Dis)function." She started dancing in first grade at a performing arts school. She was accepted for an oratory performance but then became active in dance and it was there she found "her voice." "The Order of (Dis)function" is a personal piece, she said. "My gift to be in the moment to experience, release inhibition, and just be myself."
Edana Gentry, dance major senior, choreographs a piece called "Origin." She said awareness of each other and breath is important in her piece. She calls this "intention." This may not be apparent to the audience, but the dancers focus on moving with purpose.
This year's dance production has more collaboration with musicians than in recent years. Original compositions by students and community members, and live accompaniment with bands make up most of the show.
Tara Lihn, dance major senior and choreographer, said she was walking by a music room and heard Carista Labolle playing the piano. Lihn asked her if she'd like to collaborate and write a song that she could put movement to. Lihn will dance with Lela Annotto-Pemberton in a piece called "Head and Heart," with music composed by Labolle.
Lihn also choreographs the '60s dance spoof, "Gosh It's Fun: How to be Fruggin' Groovy!" It is a collaboration with a photographer and DJ and is inspired by a '60s instructional dance book by dancer "Killer" Joe Piro. "We have brought the book back to life," Lihn said. "The photographer has remastered the pictures from the book. The DJ gives it a new 60's twist. And the set designer has made a life-sized TV."
Annotto-Pemberton collaborated with math major Kyle Falbo to create a dance using math concepts to calculate how to move the dancers inside a space. Her piece "Permutations" received high praise at this year's American College Dance Festival conference in Salt Lake City.
Jerry Sweeney, dance major junior, also dances in "Permutations," and is choreographing a piece called "The Order of (Dis)function." She started dancing in first grade at a performing arts school. She was accepted for an oratory performance but then became active in dance and it was there she found "her voice." "The Order of (Dis)function" is a personal piece, she said. "My gift to be in the moment to experience, release inhibition, and just be myself."
Edana Gentry, dance major senior, choreographs a piece called "Origin." She said awareness of each other and breath is important in her piece. She calls this "intention." This may not be apparent to the audience, but the dancers focus on moving with purpose.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Rae Robison
posted 4/18/08 @ 9:19 PM PST
The dance faculty in the article's name is Sharon "Butcher", not Butler. She works too hard not to get the credit for her direction.
Post a Comment