Explore Beneath the Surface with an SUU Dance Concert

Published: November 14, 2017 | Author: Ashley H Pollock | Read Time: 2 minutes

SUU’s Department of Theatre Arts & Dance are preparing for their fall performance of Beneath the Surface: An Original Choreographed Dance Concert. The concert will run November 29, 30 and December 1, 2, and 4, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on December 2 and 2:00 p.m. in the Randall L. Jones Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. Southern Utah University faculty, staff, and students are free with a valid ID card. Faculty and staff IDs are allowed one guest. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the show or online at www.suu.edu/pva.

Kay Andersen, Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance at SUU, said, “This performance of Beneath the Surface is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a variety of innovative dance experiences created by our talented students, faculty, and guest artists. This process brings a collaboration of student choreographers and our technical theatre students in an experience that is innovative, dynamic, and always educational.”

SUU dance students, under the direction of Lise Mills, will present a restaging of The Foot Peddler, a choreography of Burch Mann who was the founder of the American Folk Ballet. Mills, who performed for over 30 years with Burch Mann and her daughter, San Christopher, said, “I love Burch's choreography. As I have found every year I have set something from the American Folk Ballet repertoire, the students are never quite sure what they are getting into the first year they do it, but they quickly find out they love it and look forward to being a part of it the next year, and the next. It's addictive. The choreography is extremely challenging and unique. Not only do they have an opportunity to learn some difficult choreography, but also how to act and tell a story.”

Mills went on to say, “I love working with the students and sharing my expertise of Burch's work with them and have a wonderful time through the process. I always tell them, ‘If you make me cry, you've hit the mark.’ Every year, I cry.” Rocky Mountain Power is a continued supporter of the American Folk Ballet and provides funding each year to carry on Mann’s legacy.

Michael Crotty, Assistant Professor of Dance, will be performing in the concert. He said, “The dancers here are profoundly hardworking. I am amazed at the depth of dedication that they bring to a creative process.”

Senior dance performance major, Emilee Clements, said, “When I finished my piece and got to watch my dancers perform what had previously just been an idea in my head, I was beyond excited. However, the most rewarding part of any production is showing your hard work to an audience.”

Explore beneath the surface with choreography by SUU students, faculty, and guest artists. For more information about the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance, please visit www.suu.edu/pva/ta.

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