Dance 2008

The Dance Minor Program at the Division of Theatre and Dance at West Virginia University will present a Dance Concert at the Metropolitan Theatre in Downtown Morgantown on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 7, 8, and 9 at 7:30pm.

The concert is one of great diversity featuring dances by Director of
Dance Heather Ahern, faculty members Carol Wiedebusch and Jessica Bishop, guest choreographers Jenny Rocha (Rocha Dance Theatre, NYC) and MFA Creative writing student Renee Nicholson. Student choreography is by, Cate Bennett, Aislinn Crovak, Stephanie DeBolt, Mary Krosnjar, Kara Lawson, Jessica Martin, Daphne Pringle, Rachel Romero, Kira Sedlock, and Sarah Stevens.

The dances range in style from tap, modern, ballet and movement theatre, with music ranging from 15th century Italian, to the Doors, to Michael Buble's cover of Van Morrison's Moondance. There is something for everyone in this eclectic evening of dance and theatre.

Dancers performing in the concert are Cate Bennett, Hope Calhoun,
Caitlin Caskey, Emily Caudill, Elizabeth Convey, Aislinn Crovak,
Stephanie DeBolt, Lindsay Dilworth, Holly Downs, Bethany Fisher, Kyrsten Green, Lauren Hanahan, Samantha Hanna, Rachel Haring, Lindsay Kenders, Karissa Knobbe, Mary Krosnjar, Kara Lawson, Elizabeth Lewellen, Ann-Marie Marnell, Heidi Milne, Rhea May, Tiffany Mancuso, Jessica Martin, Sara Milam, Melissa Moraes, Corey Nielsen, Megan Otte, Andrea Rogers, Rachel Romero, Natalie Rossomondo, Jennifer Schammel, Kira Sedlock, Emily Shaffer, Sarah Shanholtzer, Sarah Stevens, and Shana Switzer.

A featured work in the concert is Beauty Operator, a dance theatre work created by NY choreographer Jenny Rocha. Ms. Rocha and her dance associate, Christine Poland, were in residence at WVU during the month of October. During their stay, Rocha, assisted by Poland, taught numerous classes at the Division of Theatre and Dance, and set a dance on nine dance minor students within the division.

The work is a humorous investigation of the quest for perfection and the lengths that some women go through to look fabulous. Set in a 1950s era beauty parlor, the dance features an innocent client, skillfully portrayed by Emily Shaffer. The multi-talented Ms. Shaffer is also a theatre major at WVU. Another featured performer is Cate Bennett as the warped and twisted Beauty Operator/Mad Scientist. (Beauty Operator is a 1950s term used to describe a beautician.) Part Dr. Frankenstein, part Madge from the Palmolive campaign of year past, Bennett exudes a feverish enthusiasm in her desire to create the perfect woman.

The Greek chorus of supporting beauticians, portrayed by Rachel Haring, Liz Convey, Sarah Stevens, Rachel Romero, Lauren Hanahan, Holly Downs, and Heidi Milne, reference the Stepford Wives in their quirky, gestural dances, performed in perfect unison.

Tickets cost $10. for students with WVU i.d., $12. for seniors and $15.
for general admission, and can be purchased by calling 293-SHOW, or through Ticketmaster outlets.

Ticket Information

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