Editor's Rating
This week, the ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance will be performing a dance showcase.
The showcase will display a variety of styles, with the first act incorporating aerial techniques using straps, silks, Lyra and trapeze, while the second act will feature traditional, stage-based styles such as jazz and contemporary.
The performance will consist of 14 separate pieces, each one with its own story or theme. A majority of the pieces were choreographed by ETSU students, while the rest were created by faculty members and a special guest artist.
One of the many ETSU students involved in the production is Kelsea Nickels. Nickels choreographed a piece for the showcase titled “Continuum.”
“There’s not really a story portrayed throughout the piece but there is meaning,” Nickels said. “While going through life, something that’s been going on unbeknown to us suddenly appears and it may intrigue us and stay a part of our lives for a while. In other words, something has been going on without us and then it just comes into our lives. These are things that may affect us in ways like change our perspective or opinions on things or things that hurt us or make us happy, who knows. But after a while we move on or it’s something that comes and goes, but it doesn’t completely go away. That thing in itself is still happening and maybe has moved on to affect others. It’s always continuing, it’s Continuum.”
Nickels’ statement reflects the immense amount of thought and effort put into this showcase, with the students and faculty working countless hours to put into production.
“[The theme of the performance is] very important for the creators of the piece,” she said, “but it’s also important for the dancers that have been chosen to dance understand the meaning so they can dance it with purpose.”
The showcase will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4-6 at the Bud Frank Theatre, with a final matinee show on 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Tickets will be $15 for the general public and $7 for students.
