Illinois State University’s School of Theatre and Dance presents a fall dance concert unlike any before it. In order to meet the challenges of pandemic restrictions, the dance concert will be presented virtually for the first time. The fall dance concert is a pre-recorded event and will be streamed via Zoom Webinar November 17-19. Performances are free but limited to the first 300 registrations.
Choreographers include faculty members Darby Wilde (also the artistic director), Laina Reese Carney, Kaley Pruitt, and Gregory Merriman, in addition to guest choreographer Lindsey L. Miller. Miller graduated with honors from Illinois State University with a degree in Dance Performance and trained in the professional training program at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance.
Together, the faculty and production team have utilized their collaboration, creativity, and flexibility to envision what performance can become under the imposed limitations, with the key goal to provide student dancers and designers the opportunity to hone their creative abilities. Twenty-five student dancers were cast overall, with a limited number of dancers in each piece in order to maintain the safety of the dancers and team members present during the filming. The largest ensemble of the evening has six dancers.
While performances are thematically varying, some of the performances seek to explore and express social justice themes relevant to 2020. “The images, emotions, and intentions being expressed in the works will resonate with different audience members in different ways,” said Artistic Director Darby Wilde. “Each person’s take away will be different and valid.”
While the pandemic has had a heavy impact on performance events, one thing ceases to change: the collaboration among artists. “I am constantly being challenged to reimagine how I see dance, how it could be seen, created, and possibly be more accessible,” Wilde sadi. “In my work, there have been several moments in which the dancers’ input has been vital to the creation of this work.” The fall dance concert is a pre-recorded event and will be streamed via Zoom Webinar on November 17-19.
The 2020 Fall Dance Concert has been made available at no cost due to the generosity of donors who regularly support the School of Theatre and Dance. Please consider making a gift to help support future programs.
