Contemporary dancers perform tonight

The IU Contemporary Dance team stood in a circle on stage the night before their performance, listening to choreographer Elizabeth Shea’s words of encouragement.

As they disbanded to get ready for rehearsal, squeals of excitement echoed in the soon-to-be filled theater.

Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Contemporary Dance performance, “Moving Into Focus,” will take the stage at Ruth N. Halls Theatre.
 
The performance, which aims to stimulate thinking about the world and mankind’s purpose, was choreographed by faculty and guestwork, including Shea, the Contemporary Dance department director.

Tickets are available for $25 at the IU Auditorium box office or online at theatre.indiana.edu.

Senior dancer Eryn Blair said having professional choreographers makes the dances more demanding, and after struggling with a minor back injury earlier in the week, she is nervous but excited for the performance.    

She said her favorite thing about being on stage performing is the sense of accomplishment.

“That moment is what we’re working for, that completion, that satisfaction that you’ve done it,” Blair said.

The performance is divided into multiple parts starting with “Is This the Part” and “Minor Bodies.”

Senior dancer Shannon Kazan said “Minor Bodies” is her favorite part because she gets to duet with fellow dancer Ryan Galloway, who picks her up 40 times.

Inspired by the movement of small planets and asteroids, the piece was choreographed by Shea.

“Being able to have a certain connection is great,” she said. “Partnering is really nice when you trust each other.”

Senior dancer Samia Mooney said her favorite piece is the closing piece, “Runaway,” because the dancers wear mod 60’s dresses and eventually shed them for understated undergarments.

By New York choreographer Larry Keigwin, she described the piece as sexy, subdued and dramatic.

“It’s more showy than normal for contemporary dance,” she said. “It’s fun.”

Friday night will be the first time the team has performed in the theater since the merging of the Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance departments.

Formerly a part of the School of Public Health, the Contemporary Dance department has performed in this theater before, but this time is different, Mooney said.

“Now we’re actually a part of the department we’re dancing in,” Mooney said.

The show will also feature performances choreographed by Professor Iris Rosa, Professor Selene Carter, George Pinney, Marlyana Locklear and Laurie
Eisenhower.

On Saturday, there will be a matinee performance with an additional piece by senior Jennifer Adams, featuring an all-freshmen cast.

Blair said she loves hearing feedback from the audience after performing.

“Hearing you’ve reached or touched people is one of my favorite things,” Blair said.

Follow reporter Sarah Zinn on Twitter @sarah_zinn.

The title of the performance used to read "Moving Forward," and was corrected.