Eastern Kentucky University’s Dance Theatre will present its spring concert beginning Wednesday, April 13, and continuing through Saturday, April 16, in O’Donnell Hall of the Whitlock Building
The concert will begin at 8 p.m. nightly April 13-16, with an additional matinee on Saturday, April 16at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available beginning Monday, April 4, at the ticket window in the Whitlock Building or by calling 859-622-2171 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. any weekday. Tickets are $5 for students, $12 general admission and free for children under the age of 12 (reservation still needed for children). Only check or cash will be accepted at the ticket office. To pay online with a credit card, visit https://secure.touchnet.net/C20703_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=25&clearPreview=true.
This semester’s concert offers a wide variety of dance forms, including modern/contemporary, hip hop, tap, swing, and middle eastern.
“We have seven students and three dance faculty choreographing pieces that range in theme from sheer entertainment to issues that touch our hearts,” said Dr. Marianne McAdam, Dance Theatre director. “Starting with the faculty, Nashwa Cahill is doing a beautiful Middle Eastern piece with a strong flamenco influence. Who would have thought to combine the two, but it turns out history shows a connection! Katrina Martir is choreographing a dance about the plight of foster children that will tug on everyone’s heartstrings,” and McAdam has choreographed a “joyful piece” using exercise balls. Martir and McAdam choreographed an upbeat swing as the ballroom piece this semester.
The students’ dances, likewise, feature a variety of styles and themes.
“We have sizzling burlesque piece by Alisha Johnson and Carly Wright, a fierce rhythm tap dance by Mary Bush and an entertaining hip hop by Nyeila Jones and Kristen Gregory,” McAdam noted. “Kelsey Sutherland, who is graduating this semester, is doing a piece about finding the light, and pieces by Rachel Sharpless, Alex Clark and Amanda Highland are about finding one’s way out of darkness, no matter what the issue. Our finale is a favorite from 2010: ‘Boogie Wonderland’ from ‘Happy Feet.’ It gives everyone a chance to shine!
“Overall, this is an excellent concert with lots of variety,” McAdam concluded. “Don’t miss all the creativity and talent of our EKU students and faculty.”