Seven faculty members from the dance department present seven pieces with the help of CU dance students.
Stephen Straub performed in one piece and said he was impressed by the other pieces he watched.
“I was freaking blown away,” said Straub, a 27-year-old freshman open-option major. “I feel lucky to be a part of this show. Everything was fantastic.”
The dance show took place March 11 through 14 and it included pieces that fit in ballet, modern, afro-modern and hip hop genres.
Straub performed in “An Awakening,” a contemporary ballet duet choreographed by Gabriel Masson.
Straub’s dance partner, Amy Docktor, said she was glad to have the opportunity to work with Masson.
“We commissioned him to do this piece, using the UROP grant” said Docktor, a 27-year-old senior integrated physiology major. “It was great—we got to help create the experience.”
“An Awakening” is a ballet piece en pointe. The dancers created beautiful lines with their arms and legs. Straub’s hands were very elegant. The piece included lots of partner work that was executed effortlessly.
Another piece, entitled “Tall is Her Body,” is a modern work choreographed by Onye Ozuzu. Its dancers shook, twisted and reacted to each other’s movements, each body seemingly connected.
Leslie Merrill, a 30-year-old CU alumna with a master of fine arts in dance, said she enjoyed this piece.
“The movement was very lovely and the dancers were very focused and connected,” Merrill said. “It was interesting how they created an amorphous group.”
Merrill said she views dance shows differently than audience members without dance experience.
“I have a different experience because I see a move and get caught up in the motion,” Merrill said. “Sometimes I have to remind myself to step back from the dance.”
The show ended with an exceptional hip-hop dance choreographed by Rennie Harris and entitled, “I Want You.” Dressed in outfits that look like they are out of a scene from a nightclub, the dancers’ hip-hop moves were fun and energetic. This dance was a positive end that left the audience applauding and cheering in a raucous cacophony.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Mary Rochelle at Mary.rochelle@colorado.edu.
