Dancing to a different beat

From hip-hop to ballet, contemporary dance majors will do it all during “Unfolding Elements,” the IU Contemporary Dance Program’s final performance of the semester.

The showcase will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the John Waldron Arts Center and is free, but gift donations will be taken to benefit Bloomington’s Middle Way House.

According to a press release, senior dance majors choreographed a portion of the performance, while IU Dance Theater faculty also contributed by choreographing three additional pieces.

“The senior contemporary dance majors worked all semester on these pieces and the production of the concert,” said Selene Carter, IU Contemporary Dance Program’s visiting lecturer. “In addition to class, they met and worked on professional dance development to orient them to smooth transition from college life to the professional dance world.”

Senior Abbe Lansdown said the professional development will help her because she wants to continue dancing after college.

“I plan to travel throughout Europe, dancing whenever I can and auditioning with professional modern or contemporary dance companies,” Lansdown said.

Lansdown is one of many students that will perform but also watch her own choreography during the show.

Landsdown will perform in a dance titled “When the music changes so does the dance,” choreographed by senior Andranise Baxter, and “Unstrung,” choreographed by Elizabeth Shea, coordinator of the contemporary dance program.

“I’ll also be watching seven dancers perform my piece ‘Measured, not slow,’” Lansdown said. “I’m excited because everyone has worked so hard and I know the end result will be outstanding.”

Another dance major, senior Jenna Blumenfeld, said she believes the show will be pleasing to a variety of audience members.

“It is without a doubt that the performance will be very professional and interesting to attend,” Blumenfeld said. “Due to the wide variation of pieces in style and meaning, audience members will be exposed to many different types of dance.”

Blumenfeld also choreographed a piece called “Stairscape,” a site-specific dance.
“The dance is unique because it relates to the space it takes place in,” Blumenfeld said. “The purpose of the piece is to contest the expectation that dance must be shown in a traditional theater and to redefine the space of an area used for everyday life.”

The piece will take place prior to the show in the lobby of the center.

Carter said she feels Blumenfeld’s piece is both beautiful and interesting because it will make viewers feel as though they are traveling back into time.

“The piece is quite arresting but each of the pieces are about where each of the seniors are personally and creatively,” Carter said.

Blumenfeld, a dancer since the age of seven, said she believes the dance department works hard to make sure dancers have these chances to showcase their work.

“It is a truly stellar program because we are given the opportunity to collaborate and choreograph, in addition to performing,” Blumenfeld said. “Dancing in works made by your peers is special because you can really understand the intent behind a piece, making it all the more meaningful to dance.”