University News

Winter DanceWorks Concert Dec. 6-9 at WIU

November 28, 2018

Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's annual Winter DanceWorks Concert, featuring student and faculty/guest artist choreography by the University Dance Theatre (UDT), will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 6-8 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in Hainline Theatre.

Student choreographers include Risha Devereueawax-Coats, a senior music major, from Rockford, IL; Diana DeFelice-Pirro, a senior physical education major, from Creve Coeur, IL; Nissi Shalome Smith, a senior musical theatre major, from South Holland, IL; Caleb Johnson, a sophomore musical theatre major, from Lewistown, IL; Libby Crawford, a senior musical theatre major, from Marshalltown, IA; and Jennie Shephard, a senior management major, from Rushville, IL.

Faculty choreographers include Associate Professor Heidi Clemmens and Instructor Lara Petrin. The guest artist this fall was Kim Neal Nofsinger, who also set a piece for the concert.

"It Takes a Village," by DeFelice-Pirro, showcases how important it is to look out for each other and to hold each other up. 

Devereueawax-Coats choreographed "Wings of Icarus," a story about androids (with inspiration taken from the Greek mythology of Daedalus and Icarus), which explores finding meaning through the repetition and imitation of humanity - constantly striving and longing to be something that is not completely achievable - In other words, they are flying too close to the sun.
"Hebrews 13:5" portrays the struggle of keeping faith in hard times, showing how God works through those around you to help you when you are down, choreographed by Shepherd.
"Seraphim in the Sand," by Nofisinger, is a dance of collected movement images centered on the duration of hope either individually or collectively. Devin Schonsheck created a sound score specifically for this work, the fluid athleticism of the work embodies a reflection and meditation on the endurance of the spirit.

Smith commentates on a common addiction among many people. "LOOK UP!" reminds us to do just that before we miss everything that is happening in front of us.
"Pulses of Possibility," choreographed by Crawford, explores the concept of time and how people experience it so differently. It was inspired by the many choices we make as humans in reaction to indecision and uncertainty.
A tap piece by Johnson and Petrin, "Time(step)," incorporates several styles of tap from classic to modern rock. It is an upbeat exciting piece with a large cast.
In 2009, Clemmens asked then music composition graduate student David Rappenecker to compose a piece for UDT.  They both loved string quartets, so he composed this for the WIU International String Quartet.
"I was delighted when they agreed to perform with us onstage, even 'dancing" with us a bit," said Clemmens. "I wanted to give another group of dancers the amazing experience of performing with live musicians, so I brought this work back. This dance looks at times when our loved ones are far away."

Tickets for the performances are available through the Hainline Box Office at (309) 298-2900 from noon-5 p.m. weekdays or online at wiu.edu/cofac/theatre.

For more information about the upcoming concert, contact the Department of Theatre and Dance at (309) 298-1543.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing