By Jenni Whalen
Contributing Writer
This weekend, dancers from across campus will perform in the annual Fall Dance Showcase. On Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. in Harvey M. Powers Theatre, students will dance in 20 different pieces–-10 in the first act and 10 in the second act. Directed by Dana Chernock ’12 and Erin Ilic ’12, the performance will run for almost two hours, with a short intermission midway. There will be contemporary pieces, ballet, tap, a performance by the Lewisburg Dance Conservatory and performances from student groups, including Jelani, Irish Dance and the Latino Dance Corner.
Nikki Shea ’12, a member of the Irish dance group that will be performing in the showcase, looks forward to the show every semester. “Each year the show has something new to offer,” she said. “Coming to see the show is also a great way to show the theater and dance community support, as well as showing your support for friends and peers who are involved.”
The University’s dance and theater students have been preparing for the showcase for weeks in anticipation of this weekend’s show. In order to dance in the showcase, any student can attend auditions at the beginning of the fall semester. After a simple audition of stretches, across the floor work and a few combinations, dancers are cast into 1-3 pieces and rehearse for the rest of the semester. In addition to dancing, students have also choreographed many of the pieces in the showcase.
University students have the opportunity to participate in activities such as dance without a large time commitment.
“I love dancing at Bucknell because I am able to have what I like to call my educational stress relief,” said Abby Crane ’11, a choreographer and dancer in the showcase. “The showcase is able to expand on that by allowing me to participate in a variety of numbers from semester to semester. Overall, it is such a great program because so many people have to opportunity to do what they love and it doesn’t take up a large amount of time.”
Showcase attendees can look forward to Crane’s choreography in a piece called “Life Changing,” which features seven dancers and shows how different experiences can change an individual’s outlook on life. Another piece to look for is a dance from guest choreographer Bianca Roman, a recent University graduate. Her piece, entitled “The Boy Machine,” features seven dancers, as well as an original music score written by C.J. Fujimura ’13 and poetry by Roman herself.
“Audience members should be excited to experience all types of movement in this semester’s showcase,” Roman said. “They will truly feel inspired.”
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