Topic: College of Fine Arts
October 10, 2012
Two dancers show off their contemporary dance moves in "Progress in Motion."
Performers from the Ball State University Dance Theatre program will take their audience on a trip into humankind's deepest wishes and dreams as part of "Progress in Motion: Contemporary Expressions in Modern Dance." The connection between mind and body will play out in performances scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-27 in University Theatre, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
Artistic director Audra Sokol said the department decided on the theme for this year's performance nearly a year ago. The goal when selecting a theme is to determine how best to incorporate artistic styles that will help the students grow in their dance education, she said.
Sokol added that the audience can look forward to a number of different types of contemporary dance, thanks in large part to the number of choreographers involved with the show, each of whom contributed his or her own style. Choreographers include Vladimir Stadnik, Susan Koper, Christie Zimmerman, Kristopher Estes Brown (guest choreographer from Kansas City, Mo.) and Sokol.
Dancers will perform to several original compositions by musician Adam Crawley. Other featured music will include works by Astor Piazzolla, Jonsi, excerpts from movie soundtracks and Fats Waller.
The overall process of directing the show — and getting to enjoy the final outcome — is what excites Sokol most about "Progress in Motion."
"I'm mostly looking forward to seeing the show in the theater space and feeling the energy build each night until it's finally time to open. Then I live in the magical moments, the unexplainable feelings, that exist once the show opens," she said.
Tickets for the performance cost $13 for the general public, $12 for faculty and staff, $10 for senior citizens and $7 for students. They are available from the University Theatre Box Office, open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the box office at 765-285-8749 or visit www.bsu.edu/theatre for more information.
By Chanel Richards