Jeanene Harris

Mason Fall New Dances Concert is back, better than ever

Colleen Rich — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 16:57:59 +0000

Mason Fall New Dances Concert is back, better than ever Colleen Rich Thu, 11/11/2021 - 11:57

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Mason dancers rehearse Sophie Amundson’s piece "Impression of a Pianist" masked but will perform unmasked on Nov. 12–13 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Pictured is Will Pettigrew, Jessica Brown, Rachel Bozalis, Lauren Ciccolini, Margaret Pugh, Gabriella Pate, and Nick Elizondo. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

George Mason University’s School of Dance students are excited to be back performing before a live audience as they present “Fall: New Dances”—performances filled with diverse choreography, talented dancers, and new works created by students.

The performances will be at 8 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 13 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, on Mason’s SciTech Campus in Manassas.

“Our dancers and choreographers are just hungry to be sharing their art, and they have a lot to communicate,” said Karen Reedy, director of the School of Dance. “The performances will feel like we are back and running.”

Reedy said that there are eight dances in the “Fall: New Dances” program, all choreographed by Mason dancers.

Like many of his fellow dancers, dance major Dareon Marquel Blowe is ecstatic to be back in person.

“You will see us pouring our hearts on the stage to show all of the emotions we’ve dealt with in the last few years,” said Blowe, who is from Newport News, Virginia. “I believe the biggest takeaway from this year’s ‘Fall: New Dances’ is the commitment to our art form.”

Dancers Sidney Durand, Addison David, and Genevieve Felder rehearse Rosa Wolff's “Insides Meet Yours.” Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Blowe is performing in three works: “Sole,” “X and why?” and “This must be my entrance.” “Each piece is drastically different as they all approach a series of mental, emotional, and physical strain,” said Blowe. “We discuss the power of the mind and toxic masculinity, as well as the ability to showcase diverse musical scores.”

Preparation for the concert began with an audition of 80 dance majors early in the fall semester. Reedy said that dance composition is an important part of the School of Dance curriculum.

“Our students are mentored by faculty, but these are independent projects,” she said. “These young artists each have an idea they are excited to bring it to life.”

Sophie Rebecca Amundson, a senior dance major with a minor in forensic psychology, is both a choreographer and performer in this concert.

“My piece is about the relationship between a pianist and their piano,” said Amundson, who was inspired by an old Bugs Bunny cartoon titled ‘Rhapsody Rabbit’ but noted that her piece moves beyond the comedic concept in the cartoon. “I wanted to explore not only the relationship between piano and pianist but also the relationships between different parts of the piano.”

Members of the Mason Dance Company rehearse the piece “Mortal Form,” choreographed by Annabel Kaplan. The dancers featured are Anna Lopez, Alyssa Storz, Margaret Pugh, Morgan Olschewske, Morgan Lamarre, Brianna Dawkins, and Elizabeth Wiehe. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

“Preparing for the show this semester has been incredibly exciting,” said Amundson, who is from Los Angeles, California. “Although we were still masked, being able to touch and experiment with partnering after the long two years of COVID precautions felt like a breath of fresh air.

“You get this opportunity to see the fabulous dancing and original works by these young choreographers, who will be the next generation in our field,” said Reedy of the performance.

Reedy also said that artists tend to reflect the times. “We are living in challenging times with the ongoing pandemic and so much important change and transition in our society. I think you’ll see all of that reflected in the work.”

“Coming to the theater and sharing community is much a part of what we do,” said Reedy. “Our art form is physical, human and it brings community together.”

"Fall: New Dances" is the school's first performance of the 2021-22 season. To see the schedule of performances, visit the website.

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Mason Dance Gala celebrates legacy and resilience

Colleen Rich — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 16:32:41 +0000

Mason Dance Gala celebrates legacy and resilience Colleen Rich Wed, 03/24/2021 - 12:32

Members of the Mason Dance Company perform “Running To and Toward” by Hope Boykin for the pre-recorded digital stream of 2021 Mason Dance Gala Concert on March 27 at 8 p.m. on Mason Arts at Home. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Members of the George Mason University Dance Company are grateful to be performing in this year’s Dance Gala and Fete.

“I did not realize how important it is for me to be able to dance in person,” said Carlos Martinez, a junior in the School of Dance and one of eight student-dancers cast in the production of “Sunlit Song,” choreographed by Susan Shields. “Nowadays, having the opportunity to dance in a studio is a luxury that not all performers get to enjoy.”

Martinez and other students will showcase their artistry and resilience March 27 for this year’s virtual Gala concert to perform works by some of the country’s most prominent choreographers, including a world premiere by choreographer Hope Boykin.

“Our Mason dancers are some of the most talented young artists in the country,” said Karen Reedy, School of Dance director. “The pandemic has provided challenges to the way we work, but our dancers have continued to persevere. These dancers bring great technical skill, versatility, passion, humanity and artistry to these wonderful works.”

The evening celebrates the legacy within the school, as well as the resilience of the dance community over the past year, Reedy said.

Boykin, who recently completed her 20th and final year as a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, created a new work for this year’s dance gala that’s grounded in the pandemic and reflects the current times we are living in. Throughout the Fall 2020 semester, Boykin used Mason’s Moving Story Window Wall. The innovative technology—conceived and spearheaded by Heritage Professor of Dance Christopher d’Amboise—facilitated interaction for Boykin’s virtual residency, allowing her to collaborate with 38 junior and senior dance majors.

Georgia Dahill, a junior dance major, knows the importance of engaging in the creative process with top professionals in the field. She collaborated with Boykin her world premiere piece titled “Running To and Toward.”

“Hope Boykin absolutely had a vision for what she wanted,” said Dahill. “It’s a privilege and testament to Mason connecting us to the real world even during global pandemic.”

Hope Spears, a senior dance major, said she has followed Boykin’s dance career her entire life. “She’s one of those people that just lights up a room,” Spears said. “The way she challenged us to elevate the piece to the next level made us all come out of this process better artists and masters of our craft.”

Shields re-staged her 2002 work, “Sunlit Song,” for the gala.

“When ‘Sunlit’ was created, I was in a dark place,” said Shields. “I was in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, riding a train out of the city and looked out the window to behold rays of sunlight illuminating fields of yellow grapeseed flowers—glistening in bright hope and energy. The piece is a celebration of hope, energy, brightness—something we all crave.”

“Now more than ever, I appreciate the ability to dance and connect to one another,” said senior Olivia McCall. “Susan motivated us and she brings a tireless energy to the studio.” The Baltimore native plans to return to her hometown and teach dance after she graduates in May.

The free public broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, preceded by the fête, a special presentation for supporters and sponsors of the School of Dance. Learn more here.

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College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Dance Gala Concert

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)