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Dance performances stretch the limits of art and movement

Dancers rehearse "Playful Sigh" choreographed by Stephanie Heine for DanceScapes '10 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Photo by Theatre/Dance.

Video preview from rehearsal: WATCH.

WHITEWATHER -- Dancers from across the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus will present original work choreographed by students, faculty, and guest choreographer Joe Chvala during the annual DanceScapes performances.

The Theatre/Dance Department will present DanceScapes ’10 at 2 p.m. March 14 and 7:30 p.m. and March 15-16 in the Barnett Theatre in the Greenhill Center of the Arts.

Led by artistic director, Barbara Grubel, this annual concert will display the talents of students from across the campus ranging from the business school to education to the Theatre/Dance Department.

Tickets for this event are $10 for general public with discounts for those over 65 and under 18 as well as UW-W students with valid ID. Tickets are available by calling (262) 472-2222 or online at http://tickets.uww.edu.

The concert consists of nine works varying in unique styles from hip-hop to contemporary modern. Two works have been choreographed by Theatre/Dance faculty Barbara Grubel and Robin Pettersen to allow students to explore movement that stretches their physical abilities. Other works have been choreographed by students including, Audra Lange, Stephanie Heine, Mallory Yott, Molly Moran, Erin Othrow, and Garrett Volpendesta.

Student choreographers, Stephanie Heine and Erin Othrow, will take their work to the American College Dance Festival Association, as well as Barbara Grubel's work "Remember", the Wednesday following DanceScapes ’10. Othrow’s piece, "Somewhere In Between," consists of percussive movement to the music of Paganini's "24 caprices, No. 4," recorded by Itzhak Perlman. The dance tells a story of five women fighting against each other and themselves. The adagio movement allows the dancers to truly express themselves through the curvature and angles of their bodies.

Heine’s piece, "Playful Sigh," consists of light playful movements with text. The movement alludes to children playing on a playground and has a powerful twist at the end. The work allows the audience to take a peek into the life of a child. Choreographers have been working on their pieces since September and are delighted to put the finished product on stage.

Guest Choreographer Joe Chvala was in residency at UW-Whitewater Feb. 6-14. The two weeks included intense rehearsals and development of his piece that includes elements of dance, theatre, music and body percussion. It gave students the opportunity to explore techniques they have learned in Whitewater and experiment with techniques that Chvala specializes in while working with his own dance company in Minneapolis.

He also guest lectured theatre improvisation, arts management, percussion students and a contemporary dance class. UW-Whitewater students were fortunate to experience Chvala’s knowledge of the art of dance, theatre, and arts management. Chvala's residency was sponsored by the College of Arts and Communication Visiting Artist fund, The Percussion Studio Ensemble (Tobie Wilkinson), Department of Music, UWW Student Dance Company as well as the Theatre/Dance Department.

Another collaborative effort in the DanceScapes '10 lineup is the work choreographed by artistic director, Barbara Grubel, titled "Remember." This work includes live vocals provided by the 26 member UW-Whitewater Chamber Singers, directed by Robert Gehrenbeck from the Department of Music and features compositions by another guest artist, composer Stephen Chatman of Vancouver, Canada.

Chatman was in residence for three days, working with the choir and attending a rehearsal of the dance piece. This was an incredible opportunity for both the music and dance students and was sponsored by the College of Arts and Communication Visiting Artist fund, Department of Music and the Theatre/Dance Department.

Dancers featured in DanceScapes '10 include Alyssa Arnold, Anna Brittnacher, Tessa Clark, Emily Donelan, Kylee Flynn, Natalie Gard, Christopher Gonyo, Whitney Geallis, Stephanie Heine, Robin Helbing, Jamie Hollenberger, Kacie Holop, James Howe, Kelly Kachelski, Tyler King, Brianna Knoflicek, Stacey Kondrakiewicz, Christina Landreman, Audra Lange, Franceszka Lesnik, Nikki Lostroscio, Nicole McCarty, Cara Mierow, Molly Moran, Mackenzie Naughton, Cole Nelson, Sarah Neudeck, Mackenzie Nilsen, Judy Novotny, Erin Othrow, Merissa Pigott, Lindsey Richardson, Jason Rohn, Aly Ruge, Cassie Schaut, Brienna Schenck, Haeli Schwandt, Laura Stone, Chris Tate, Tracy Werner and Mallory Yott.

DanceScapes ‘10 is led by artistic director, Barbara Grubel and stage managed by Megan Plicka. Lighting designers include faculty member Steve Chené and UW-W students Kayla Howell, Alyssa Windell, Joe McDonnell, Eric Vigo, Kyle Higgins and Brendan Haglund. The costumes are designed by faculty member Tracey Lyons and UW-W students Andrew Claude, Carole Alt, and Shantelle Szyper.

Tickets are available at the Greenhill Center Box Office Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets also are available by calling (262) 472-2222 or by visiting http://tickets.uww.edu.

Tickets may also be purchased the day of the performance, beginning one hour prior to curtain, as availability allows. It is highly recommended to call in advance for tickets to this annual event. Tickets for DanceScapes ‘10 are $10 for the general public, $8 for 65 and over, $5.50 for 18 and under, and $4.50 for students with a UW- ID.