K-State faculty and students bring 'Renewal' dance concert to McCain
Monday, March 18, 2024
See "Renewal, Spring Dance Concert '24" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, in McCain Auditorium. Tickets are available online. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance presents "Renewal, Spring Dance Concert '24" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, in McCain Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased online.
In addition to performances choreographed by K-State faculty, the concert will feature student-choreographed works that were performed at the American College Dance Association's 2024 regional conference and pieces by guest artists Alexandra Beller and Anneliese Troxell.
Stephen Loch, teaching assistant professor of dance, will present two new works: "Orchard," a contemporary dance piece that celebrates finding one's way back into nature, and "Mafia," a fun, upbeat contemporary fusion dance piece in reverence of a popular party game.
Annika Wiebers, senior in agricultural communications and journalism, Wamego, created the choreography for "Will anyone...?," an exploration of the deep loneliness that many of us feel after leaving the safety of childhood and entering the real world. It also reminds us that there is hope if we're willing to reach outside our comfort zones and fight for genuine connection with others.
"The Neighbor of Nothing" features choreography created by the dancers and staging and direction by renowned New York City choreographer and guest artist Beller. The 10-person ensemble performs intricate, athletic and lush movement accompanied by a haunting projection from the film "Koyaanisqatsi" and a sweeping musical score by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks and American composer Phillip Glass.
"Man vs. Man," choreographed by Alyx Glessner, junior in sociology, Manhattan, is inspired by the theory of criminality and why we do the things we do. How do we do the things we do? Do our actions have consequences, and if so, how do those actions reflect who we are?
Kate Digby, associate professor and associate director for dance, choreographed "Jitterbugs." In a lighthearted play on the title, four bugs jitter their way across the stage, eventually losing themselves in the joy of swing dancing.
"The Grind," choreographed by guest artist and K-State alumna Troxell, features two parts. Part 1: "Rise to the Top" is a contemporary jazz dance filled with articulations of corporate structure. Part 2: "The Price" is a tap piece that depicts the grim price paid for success.
The following K-State students are dancers in "Renewal, Spring Dance Concert '24":
Haylee Nicholas, senior in architectural engineering, Andale; Naliya Contreras, junior in theatre, Chapman; Emily Reed, freshman in music education, and Kyliee Thurston, freshman in agricultural technology management, both from Derby; Elise Welch, freshman in social work, Fairway; Kieran Boeger, sophomore in psychology, Gypsum; Abbie Bryan, sophomore in psychology, Hutchinson; Sophia Baskerville, senior in sports nutrition, Junction City; Victoria Netherland, freshman in business administration, Kansas City; Jae Seefeldt, junior in music education, Leavenworth; Jamia Roberts, master's student in public health, and Bella Stearns, junior in athletic training, both from Manhattan; Riley Chrisler, junior in elementary education, Oakley.
From Overland Park: Abbey Griffin, junior in nutrition and health; Rachelle Jackson, senior in kinesiology; Parris Martin, freshman in psychology; and Margot McClain, sophomore in elementary education.
Alexis Sutton, senior in bakery science and management, Shawnee; Cassie Meyer, senior in dietetics, Tampa; Ann Stegman, senior in integrative human sciences, Topeka; and Annika Wiebers, senior in agricultural communications and journalism, Wamego.
From out of state: Sami Villasana, junior in geology, Aurora, Colorado; Alicia Bohren, senior in animal sciences and industry, Longmont, Colorado; Alex Niemann, senior in biology, Waukee, Iowa; Jacob Rogers, sophomore in applied music, Frederick, Maryland; Holland Juell, junior in interior architecture, Bloomington, Minnesota; Audrey Henton, senior in dietetics, Kansas City, Missouri; Maddie Newham, junior in kinesiology, Norborne, Missouri; Rachel Reichert, master's student in architecture, Platte City, Missouri; Avery Johnson, senior in biology, Lantana, Texas; and Annika Lindt, sophomore in microbiology, Sunset, Texas.
From out of country: Emily Hug De Belmont Brugada, senior in management, Asuncion, Paraguay.
