University News

Spring Dance Gala April 25-28 at WIU

April 23, 2019

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MACOMB, IL – The University's Spring Dance Gala will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 25-27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28 at Hainline Theatre.

Heidi Clemmons, co-artistic director of University Dance Theatre at WIU, has two pieces in the Spring Dance Gala. "Breaking Through," a collaboration between Bridgeway, Inc. and University Dance Theatre, explores the uncontrollable things in life that get in the way and hold people back, and how they can break through the frustrations.

Lara Petrin, also co-artistic director, has an improvisational dance piece titled "Connections." The dancers have never heard the music they will be performing to, and the dance will be created on the spot, with no preplanned movement themes or story arc. Lighting designer Amina Alexander, will also be creating as the dance progresses.

Other pieces that are part of the show include:

• Dianna DeFelic-Pirro, president of University Dance Theatre choreographed "Without You, Within Me," a dance honoring her father, Jason Pirro, who passed suddenly in the Marine Corps in 2004.

• Senior Nissi Smith choreographed "My Sister's Keeper," a piece that celebrates the love between sisters.

• "Say When" explores those times in life when burdens and difficult events rain down at every turn, and how those impacted find comfort and support.

• "I Have, yet I Still," choreographed by WIU senior Libby Crawford, is a contemporary piece about how difficult it can be to break out of predictability.

• "Not a Goodbye…," choreographed by WIU senior Jacquilyn Frausto centers on accepting the past.

Tickets are $15 for the general public, $13 for seniors and youth and WIU students are admitted free with valid student identification.

The Emerging Choreographers Showcase will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in Hainline Theatre and will include choreographers Marrisha Deverueawax-Coates, Kaelin Lopriori, Kiera Martin, Meredith McGary, Jenny Shepherd and Paige Woods. Admission is free.

For more information, visit wiu.edu/cofac/theatre.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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