John Duplantier, a senior general studies major with a concentration in humanities, left, and Haley Jordan, a junior history major and a general studies major with a concentration in dance, right, were choreographers for the Dance Performance Project's untitled concert along with Director of Dance Keith Skip Costa.
Annie Goodman/ The Lion's Roar
Dance Performance Project is a contemporary dance-based program for students headed by Director of Dance Skip Costa.
DPP hosted its semester concert on Wednesday, Feb. 22 and Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Vonnie Borden Theatre.
“I think it was very captivating,” said Costa. “I feel like the concert itself is very challenging for the audience because we have put various obstacles in the way. It’s not just walk in and be super entertained by not having to think. So, I think this concert questions the audience members as well as the performers.”
The concerts featured 13 performers in seven untitled pieces by three choreographers.
“Tonight’s performance was really great,” said Ashley Barbarin, a performer and a freshman general studies major with a concentration in dance. “It’s just been a great experience in general, just working with everyone and seeing everyone grow from something, we really didn’t know what it was, into this magnificent performance. It’s just really cool to see it evolve from what it was into what it is now.”
One of the choreographers, Haley Jordan, enjoyed how well things turned out in their short rehearsal time.
“I thought that it went really well and it went really smoothly,” said Jordan, a junior history major and general studies major with a concentration in dance. “This is a fantastic group of people to work with. I’d have to say how well all the pieces came together and in such a short amount of time. We only had, like, less than eight weeks to bring this whole thing together. Seems like a crazy idea, but you just have to trust Skip’s guidance.”
Costa choreographed the first and last performances.
“I like to say the dancers really embody the work and bring it to life in a different way each time,” said Costa. “Each performance they grew and grew and grew. In the studio, they grew. When they stepped on the stage for tech, they grew. Then, when they hit the performance mode it’s just like ‘Where are they gonna go? Who’s gonna shine more than others? Who really feels the concept?’”
Jordan’s dances are inspired by experiences in her daily life.
“Just life itself,” said Jordan. “The littlest thing can inspire me to create a dance or to dance. It can be from listening to a song or just sitting outside on a pretty day. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Dance is everything to me. It’s the way that I take in and experience and move forward through life.”
Costa wanted the works to be untitled to challenge the choreographers and audience.
“I wanted to provide the choreographers an opportunity to choreograph with their own voice,” said Costa. “With that, I provided another obstacle, which was the works are untitled. It’s untitled, but it all must have one unanimous theme. I’m not sure if it hit that, but the theme of the moment would be for the audience to expand their minds and allow dance to be what it’s original intention was as an art form. To be expressive and let your mind go on a journey through it and make your own interpretations of what the dance is. We’re kind of spoon-fed a lot in T.V. and films, but this is a concert you have to think about a little bit.”
Alexis May, left, and Haley Jordan, right, perform a tap trio along with Brianna Denmark. Jordan choreographed the piece to challenge the concept that tap can only be done with the feet. They sewed tap soles to their costumes for this piece.
Annie Goodman/ The Lion's Roar
For the final number, Jordan performed a solo choreographed by Costathat included spoken word. The dance was about the American Flag and will be performed in a competition at the American College Dance Association.
Annie Goodman/ The Lion's Roar
