Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents a unique take on the dance experience with its 2025 Fall Dance Concert.

The production will be performed entirely outdoors.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-8, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9, all at the John Goodman Amphitheatre.

Associate Professor of Dance Azaria Hogans coordinated this year’s concert, which is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Outdoor performances immerse audience in dance

For this year’s concert, Hogans adopted an unusual format.

“This year’s concert is very unique,” she said. “Many of the dances will be site specific, and we will tour the audience to a couple of nearby locations to view some of the dances. We will also have a couple of dance films projected. The audience will be truly immersed in this concert.”

Each performance of “Immersion” will start at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA). From there, it will continue to various areas around JGA. Nearly 40 students will perform in the concert.

Warm clothes, comfortable shoes and hot chocolate

Hogans said the “Immersion” concept blends well with the season’s “Awakening” theme because dance itself is an awakening experience.

“The body is powerful in awakening oneself to inner thoughts as well as being able to experience the stories of others: awakening empathy, new ways of thinking and reflection,” Hogans explained.

To counter any potential cool weather, Hogans said patrons should wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes. The Mo State Dance Co, a student organization, will also be on hand selling hot chocolate as a fundraiser “and to keep everyone cozy,” she added. Another student organization, Maroon Dynasty, will also be selling glow sticks and hand warmers.

Creativity adapts to campus construction

Current construction on the Reynolds Performing Arts Complex inspired Hogans to think differently about this year’s concert.

“A huge challenge is all of the construction and limited performance spaces on campus,” she explained. “I wanted to use that challenge as an opportunity to do something different and also demonstrate what occurs in the site-specific dance world that doesn’t focus on proscenium stages.”

“This concert is low tech but intimate and deeply moving,” Hogans said. “Be ready to be immersed in the joy, love and passion of dance.”

Nate Wiles, a sophomore musical theatre major, said that although physical performance spaces have been closed, creativity has blossomed. “Performance and art is still alive and breathing, and it shows in this year’s fall dance concert especially,” he said.

Caroline Wolfe has also embraced the challenge of adapting to limited performance space. “I have always loved site specific work,” she said. “I think that it is an exciting but challenging format to choreograph for.”

As examples, Wolfe noted the need to think about minimizing dance floor work as well as accommodating costumes and shoes for a non-dance floor environment.

Wolfe is a senior mathematics and dance double major who is also pursuing an accelerated master’s in mathematics.

Show highlights student choreography

When putting together a dance concert, one of the greatest joys Hogans experiences is working with her students.

“I get to facilitate the process of students becoming artists and getting real world experiences of bringing their visions to life,” she said.

Concert gives Wolfe chance to conduct research

Wolfe, for example, not only performs in three separate dances pieces, she is also lead choreographer in two others. Her career goal is to teach math and/or dance at the collegiate level, continuing her explorations into the intersections between the two disciplines.

One of Wolfe’s choreographed pieces for the concert uses the mathematical concept of the Fano Plane, the smallest finite projective plane. “Being able to do this piece for the Fall Dance Concert helps to continue my research and further explore how math can affect dance and vice versa,” she said.

Wolfe hopes audiences gain a greater appreciation for the art of dance when they view this year’s concert. “I also hope that people take away a greater understanding of how dance can be used as exploration and research as well,” she said.

Wiles celebrates audiences of all ages

Meanwhile, Wiles want to use his degree to someday own his own dance company. He hopes to choreograph large productions and Broadway shows.

“This is the first time my choreography will be shared with the public,” Wiles said. “With these people specifically, it has been nothing short of a thrill.”

Wiles choreographed the piece “REVIVAL” for this year’s concert. He hopes his choreography will resonate with all audience ages by celebrating a “revival” of their youth.

“Getting older isn’t something to mourn, or to praise, but something worth our gratitude,” he explained. “I hope that as time runs short, our future will be revived with a reconsideration for our youth, childlikeness and joy, [something] that we have just as much capability to give ourselves as we do hate, anger and resentment.”

Mark your calendar

 

---

Photo credits: Azaria Hogans.