The 11th annual Choreographer’s Concert, put on by the dance company and other student choreographers, will be very diverse this year. Director of the dance department, Jennifer Camp, said each year, the shows are new and exciting. The dance department is constantly bringing in new students, choreography, choreographers, and guest artists.
Choreographer, filmmaker, and writer from Portland, Ore. Jocelyn Edelstein, is the selected guest choreographer for this year’s show.
Edelstein created a documentary about hip hop dance in Brazil. She is a hip hop choreographer, and for this year’s show she has choreographed a hip-hop infused contemporary piece to open the show. Camp said she selects guest choreographers by going to different shows and researching the choreographers. Camp said she really enjoyed Edelstein’s work and invited her to choreograph for the Autumn Choreographers Concert
Senior Emily Abramson is also choreographing the show. She has been dancing her whole life and has been choreographing for her entire college career. Abramson is a dance major and will be performing her senior capstone, “The Spectacle.” The piece utilizes a circus backdrop to instill thoughts on behavior and mystery. Abramson said a psychology class she took last year inspired “The Spectacle”. She was fascinated by the idea that we need a balance between good and bad.
Other student choreographers include junior Olin Blackmore, senior Berkley Holzschuh, senior Sarah Whitehead and Camielle Westfall. Alumnae, Kathleen Brown and Katie Gillem will also return to present and dance their own work.
Camp said there is not one dance in particular that she is excited about seeing. Camp said it is a “very diverse show” and that there are “five student choreographers that have created unique dances that range from classical to contemporary styles.”
A lot of preparation goes into the show.
“The dancers rehearse anywhere from six to 10 hours per week depending on how many dances they’re in, and they have rehearsals Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in addition to the technique classes they’re already taking,” said Camp.
“The new students in the dance company this year are very talented,” said Camp.
There are a total of 17 dancers in the company this year. The show will take place Nov. 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Tom Miles Theatre in Warner Hall.
There will also be a benefit for a former faculty member, Timothy Johnson, who is recovering from a devastating car accident that happened in the summer.
There will be a table at the show accepting donations to help support Johnson through his recovery from a fractured neck injury that has put his dance career on hold.
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