The dance program recently staged its final production of the semester, DanceTech: Dream in the Maedgen Theatre. With artistic direction by Professor Anthony Denaro, the production featured choreography by our dance faculty (Melissa Brading, Anthony Denaro, Ali Duffy, Genevieve Durham DeCesaro, and Katrina Soricelli), alongside guest artists David Olarte and Carla León, Arizona’s foremost salsa dance teachers, and award-winning choreographer/performance artist, Helanius J. Wilkins.

In collaboration with our student designers, Rowan Grossman (lighting), Justin Radcliffe (scenic and projection) and Bailey Lewis (costume), each work provided thoughtful and visually intriguing choreography beautifully performed by our dance students. The production also featured collaboration with local artists. Composer Justin Houser created an intriguing live sound score during Brading’s work, “Location of Suspension.” Denaro also created sound scores for his work, “Colors Dripping Off” and for “Undertow” by Olarte and León. Dr. Duffy collaborated with local visual artist, Kristy Kristinek, to create stunning painted projection panels and red poppies that dropped down onto the stage during “The Innocents.” The final work of the evening, “This Is All My Mother’s Fault,” choreographed by DeCesaro, featured text performed by Associate Professor of Voice and Speech, Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston. DanceTech also used her voice in the preshow announcement that set the dreamy tone for the evening by encouraging audience members to soften their focus, breathe deeply, become present in the space, and enjoy the performance.

Although I have been a member of the dance program since 2008, this is one of the first times that I did not contribute choreography to DanceTech. With my focus on creating new choreography for our upcoming world premiere musical, The Nerve of Minerva, I chose to step back from this production this year, giving me the rare opportunity to just sit back and enjoy the show. I was beyond proud to see the work of our faculty, students, and staff for DanceTech. Some dance works featured challenging, athletic movement with others required dramatic or comedic performances from the dancers, highlighting the technical strength and performance abilities of our students, while showcasing the creative strength of our dance faculty. Congratulations to all who worked on the show!

We are already preparing for DanceTech next year, which will feature a synthesized dance theatre performance called Rites of Spring, a deconstructed take on the iconic musical score by Stravinsky. Working with student composers in the TTU School of Music, the dance faculty will collaborate with Dr. Christopher Staley, Assistant Professor of Movement, to create a re-envisioned evening length work that combines dance, theatre, music, and art. With artistic direction by Anthony Denaro, Dr. Staley, and Mallory Prucha, Associate Professor of Costume Design, the devising process will begin this summer as the focus of our Marfa Intensive in late July. We are excited for the opportunities for collaboration within our school and college to create something as exciting and as revolutionary as the original score and ballet.