Originality and innovation highlights "Moving Stories"
Jocelyn Gammon
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Life!
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It featured the choreography of Dana McGowan, '10, Ashley Taylor, '10, Lynn Lisella, '11, Olivia Alvarez, '10, Emily Daly, '10, Katie Fierro, '11, Rebecca Haverson, '10, Aubrey Kupstas, '10, Laura Mayerson ,'10, Carolina Millard, '10, Michele Sasso, '10, and Ashley Sleeth, '11.
The success of this year's Moving Stories was due in large part to how purely entertaining so many of the pieces were. This was the most accessible student dance concert I have seen at the College.
This is not at all to say that the choreography lacked depth. Rather, it was apparent that this year's choreographers were able to effectively navigate the subtleties of mixing complex choreographic intent with engaging entertainment. This points to the versatility of the choreographers and successful guidance of Artistic Director Sarah Carlson.
The concert opened with Dana McGowan's "Keeping Up With the Joneses…," a highly entertaining, technically impressive modern piece. It featured dancers Emily Daly, '10, Ellen DiStefano, '12, Rebecca Haverson, '10, and Laura Mayerson, '10-all of whom were technically strong and responded to the ensemble nature of McGowan's choreography with ease and precision.
As the concert went on, the originality of this year's Moving Stories was evident in all pieces. Michele Sasso's, '10, "Within Absence" employed live music composed by Meghan Wilson, '10, and performed by herself, Andrew Newcomb, '12, Tynan Hooker-Haring, '08, and Sam Swan, '10. Sasso's choice to use live accompaniment was a risky one, as much of the piece was comprised of musical improvisation and therefore was different every performance. Ultimately, it was an extremely effective collaboration that only added to her already impressive choreography.
Rebecca Haverson, '10, chose to use a ladder in her piece, "suspiciously like a standard." Like Sasso's live music, it added a unique flavor, allowing for particularly effective picture-making on stage and a demonstration of Haverson's obvious talent at creating interesting shapes with the bodies in space.
The success of Lighting Designer Paul E. Theisen was obvious throughout, and especially showcased in Olivia Alvarez's, '10, "Broken Space." The lighting enhanced the piece, which, on its own was a concert standout.
Carolina Millard's, '10, "Wasted," while remaining choreographically impressive, effectively commented on the culture of binge drinking while also entertaining the audience.
All of the dancers were technically impressive. Many were in multiple pieces, and Ashley Sleeth's "Vulnerability: Still Undefeated" as well as Aubrey Kupstas', '10, "This Ain't No Scrimmage" called for extreme athleticism and stamina on the part of their dancers. All pieces demonstrated technical precision and truly successful ensemble work.
The concert was of the best I have seen as a student here, and the work of the choreographers, dancers, faculty, and production staff is truly praiseworthy.