University Dance Company to perform concert

Friday, November 20, 2009

The soft, pattering sounds of bare feet and well-worn dance shoes from backstage freeze. The light slowly illuminates the auditorium. Then, as music begins to pour from the speakers, the dancers glide into view.

Tonight at 7:30, the University Dance Company will perform the second night of its annual fall concert, featuring the work of world-renowned guest choreographer Bill Evans.

Video

University Dance Company holds rehearsal

The University Dance Company had a dress rehearsal for their upcoming performance at the Lied Center, Nov. 19 and 20.

Jerel Hilding, associate professor and chair of dance and one of the show’s five choreographers, said the choreographers have been able to tie all of the dances together with fantastic elements.

This year, Evans, who Hilding said was one of the top tap dancers in the country, visited the University at the beginning of October to choreograph “Jukebox,” the show’s closing number. Hilding said it brought the fantasy of Hollywood to the stage.

Photo by Andrew Hoxey

Tim Flattery, Onaga senior, and Jen Silvey, Overland Park freshman, perform a ballroom dance as part of the University Dance Company's fall concert. The concert featured "Jukebox" by guest choregrapher Bill Evans.

Hilding, now in his 20th year with the dance company, said “Jukebox” was a humorous poke at music and dance forms of the 1940s. It includes dances such as the jitterbug and songs originally recorded by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.

“He has a really good way of making it so that every dancer can grasp the movements,” said Kendra Brown, Belleville senior and UDC president.

This is the second time Evans has been a guest choreographer for the University. The first was Spring 2008 when he choreographed a modern dance piece called “Celebrations for Elizabeth,” which was dedicated to the 100th birthday of his late friend and founder of the University Dance Department, Elizabeth Sherbon.

Hilding said that in “Jukebox,” Evans gave each dancer a 1940s personality, such as Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers.

“Bill has a wonderful background in all forms of dance,” Hilding said. “He’s like a walking history book in a way. It’s wonderful thing for students to have.”

Students in UDC agree his background has helped them develop their dance skills.

“For him to have all these experiences and have been so many places and then to come to a place like KU is a really great opportunity for us,” said Stephanie Taylor, Lenexa senior and marketing director for UDC. “They’re normally pretty hard on us at rehearsal, I mean it’s a tough industry — but he really encouraged us to do well and push forward.”

In addition to having Evans as a guest this semester, the show is the dance department’s first company concert after its split from the music department.

“I think everyone is really excited about this. It’s our first performance as our own department,” Brown said. “The community and students have been really supportive of the changes this year.”

This year, Hilding said there were more dancers than usual, with 30 student dancers and five choreographers.

“It’s bittersweet,” Brown said. “The ability to perform and share your feelings, emotions and passion with the audience is awesome, but all the pieces we’ve put sweat and hours of work into are almost over.”

The show features numerous genres of dance, including bolero, hip-hop, rhumba, flamenco, ballet, modern, jazz and tap.

“I think it will be a really accessible show,” Hilding said. “Students and people of all ages will find something entertaining in it.”

— Edited by Lauren Cunningham

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