A group of students at the College of William and Mary aim to explore concepts such as spirituality, evolution and the wonder of the natural world using a means of expressing oneself unlike any other: Dance. “An Evening of Dance,” a series of vignettes choreographed by students, returns Thursday through Sunday.
The production provides an opportunity for students to try their hands at different aspects of the creative process in a professional way, which culminates in public performances at Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.
“It’s a really cool opportunity just across the board,” said Alex Poirer, who serves as the show’s lighting designer. “It’s guided by teachers, but students really take the reigns. It’s good for us.”
Leah Glenn, director of dance at the college, said the endeavor helps the young artists foster leadership and interpersonal skills alongside artistic ones as they work to find their individual voices and define their own unique styles.
“It’s helping you develop your creative voice and explore issues, concepts that resonate with you,” she said.
Each of the production’s more than 20 students, encompassing freshmen through seniors, created an original dance that runs roughly six to seven minutes.
“I don’t think I would have another opportunity to choreograph on a professional stage,” said senior Tovah Klein.
Klein developed a dance dealing with the subconscious psychology behind dreams, inspired by her time taking a religious psychology class and reading Carl Jung’s theories on the topic. She said the resulting movements are “ethereal.”
The students’ visions span classical and contemporary dance styles. Some are more grandiose and others more subtle, but Glenn said each dance was technical in its own way.
“It’s so great. We’re all really proud of them,” she said. “It’s so rewarding as an educator to see that.”
One student’s piece explores the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Another used her personal spiritual journey as a catalyst for choreography. Yet another examines the evolution of bipedalism, with movements based on how movement itself changed as a result.
The program’s finale incorporates all of the dancers with a showcase inspired by the beauty and chaos of the planet’s most intrinsic components: the elements of fire, water, earth and air.
“We all come from very unique and diverse dance backgrounds. The finale celebrates that,” said senior Hailey Arindaeng, the choreographer behind the climactic chapter.
Arindaeng said the piece capitalizes on each dancer’s strengths while also encouraging them to branch out in pursuit of their vision.
“It’s really great to see your vision come to life in that professional environment,” she said.
Like any worthwhile art, Arindaeng said the goal of the show is to get the audience thinking and conversing, sharing their own interpretations based on their own ideas and experiences.
“Even if you’re not coming from a dance background, I hope that a piece will speak to each member of the audience,” she said. “I hope it sparks conversation and curiosity.”
Want to go?
“An Evening of Dance” runs Thursday through Sunday at Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for military and college staff and $7 for students and children, available at wm.edu/boxoffice, the Phi Beta Kappa box office or by calling 221-2674.
