FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS, THE SPRING DANCE CONCERT WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU, THE AUDIENCE, LIVE!
That’s right! The 2022 spring dance concert, Boundless, is back for the first time since spring 2019! Similar to last year’s virtual concert, it will feature choreography by our very own faculty and students, as well as this semester’s guest artist, Jocelyn Perez. The choreographers include Azaria Hogans, Jocelyn Perez, Courtney Adamson, Chelsea Deters, and Hattie Geltemeyer. See below to read more about from the concert’s coordinator, guest artist, and stage manager!
First, we talked to faculty member Azaria Hogans to hear about everything she did to bring this year’s revamped concert to life. “This year, I am serving as the coordinator in addition to choreographing three works and performing in one. I am excited to be back in Coger Theatre since we haven’t had a dance concert in that space for three years. One of the works that I am presenting entitled Sky Window Suite was originally due to premiere in Coger theatre in 2020. It will be a joy to bring concert dance back into the Coger space, and I look forward to seeing the audience return to those seats.”
When asked about the concert and how it’s set up, she stated, “Boundless is a compilation of several different works that are showcased on the proscenium stage, which allows the audience to step into several different worlds. In this year’s concert, the audience can see a wide range of themes from comical to serious. Boundless will present the choreographic pieces of faculty, guest artist, and students. This is the first year that this mainstage concert has been open to student choreographers through an adjudication process. Student pieces were selected based on choreographic development over time, compositional structures, and creativity.”
As you can see, Azaria has been hard at work to make sure this concert will be a diverse spectacle full of exciting and passionate work.
Next, we interviewed Jocelyn Perez to see what it’s been like for her to work with our students here at Missouri State and why audiences should come see this concert. She said, “The choreographic process with students has been wonderful. I’ve left every rehearsal grateful and energized from the experience.” And, “Audiences should attend this concert to witness the reemergence of live dance performances. Some of these dancers are performing for the first time on the main stage in over two years. The energy will be palpable!”
Finally, we spoke to the concert’s Stage Manager, Madison Young about her experience with exciting event. “This is my first time stage managing a dance concert. It has been vastly different than my other SM experiences. It is for sure a learning game. Dance is its own special type of production. You have similar elements to a show and how things run, but for the most part, you communicate through email until a week before the performances when everyone comes together in person. I have enjoyed the challenge of getting everyone’s information and keeping people informed through email. I cannot wait to see it all come together on stage. I was the Assistant Stage Manager for Much Ado About Nothing this past semester, and I feel there are pros and cons for both positions. As ASM, you help with more paperwork and backstage things; you also sit through all rehearsal until performance. In stage managing the dance concert, you must make sure that all your emails leave no room for confusion since that is your main communicator. Calling for the dance concert will be an interesting challenge because instead of going off a lyric or a line, you must call everything from a certain move or place in the music. Overall, they are pretty different, but I like a good challenge and have enjoyed the chance to learn something new.”
It has been so long since we’ve had a live spring dance concert, and this one is sure to be everything you’ve been waiting for.
Boundless opens and runs with 7:30pm performances May 5-7 and closes with a matinee on May 8. All performances are held in Craig Hall’s Coger Theatre. Tickets are $14 for adults and only $12 for seniors and students. You can click here to PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS or call the box office!
