Ballet ‘On the Edge’ features student choreography

Every song that junior ballet major Ben Delony listens to, he choreographs in his head.

Delony and fellow junior ballet major Daniel Morales were selected to be the only student choreographers in the upcoming IU Ballet Theater production of “On the Edge,” which will be presented Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

The name “On the Edge” stems from the location of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in relation to the IU campus and is representative of the new, original choreography and music being performed, Chair of the IU Ballet Department Michel
Vernon said.

“I want the choreography to be experimental, and there is no limit to the music,” Vernon said. “I want to let the choreographers do what they want to do.”
Along with being selected as choreographers, Delony and Morales had the freedom to pick their own dancers, music and style
of dance.

“I picked dancers that were very clean and could make the best out of the choreography of what I feel when I hear the music,” Morales said.

With the idea of picking their own music in mind, Delony wanted to go with something that was completely different - “W’Happy Mama” by Zap Mama.

“I have an incredible eclectic taste in music,” Delony said. “My piece is really earthy and has a strong beat.”

Altogether the performance will show eight different performances and eight up-and-coming choreographers, including professional dancers, IU faculty and the two IU students. Forty-two ballet students will dance in the production.

“This is the first year we are doing a show like this,” Morales said. “The show is more contemporary and shows the other side of the dance world.”

Music by Jacobs School of Music faculty composers Eugene O’Brien and David Dzubay as well as artists such as Imogen Heap, Zoe Keating and George Gershwin will be featured.

“Not one piece sounds like the other,” Vernon said.

Tickets will be available for $10 or for $5 for students with a valid student ID and can be purchased through the Buskirk-Chumley box office.

“Everyone can get something out of each piece being performed,” Morales said. “The audience will be able to relate to the dances a lot more.”