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The Mac Weekly

The Student News Site of Macalester College

The Mac Weekly

The Student News Site of Macalester College

The Mac Weekly

Toeing the Line to showcase student choreography

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After a brief hiatus last spring semester, dance returns to the theater main stage for the third completely student produced fall dance concert: “Toeing the Line.” The 16 choreographers (count them, sixteen!) have been working throughout the semester to create not just amazing works of art but also the show itself. This semester’s performance has more variation in style than any concert in past years. Drawing from the non-department dance scene here at Macalester, the show will include performances by the Hip Hop Dance Team as well as the Irish dancers of Scoil Rince Mac. Safiya Carter-Thompson ’08 is now leading the hip-hop dancers to their second dance concert while Scoil Rince Mac choreographers, Anna Farrell ’06 and Maureen Ragalie ’07, have become familiar faces for the fall show.

The student produced show is generally less formal and therefore a more open space for new choreographers to hone their skills, and several chose to give it a chance.

Anne Sweet 07's choreographic premier presents the seven deadly sins through precise jazz and ballet influenced movement. Kristalle Chin '07 and Eliza Rasheed '06 channel dancehall dancing from Jamaica, Indian Kathak, African-based movement.<br /><br /> In getting back to the Macalester Dance Department's first love, modern dance, Sasha Kirschner '06 is tackling the issue of same-sex relationships and Jenna Johnson '08 is soothing the sorrows of thwarted love with a little help from Al Green and William Shatner.<br /><br /> Finally, some past choreographers are returning with new works to share. Sarah Russ '06 experiments with elements of Brazilian and African dance she learned while abroad. The dynamic duo of last fall, Phillip Higgs '07 and Dana Terres '07, have split off to produce their own works. Higgs brings good old jazz dance and Bonnie Tyler onto the main stage while Terres produced a Horton-based modern dance to the main theme from "American Beauty." However, there's a new duet this semester as Keon West '06 and Jen Wichmann '06 present their collaborative effort in a dance influenced by salsa and ballet, among other things.<br /><br /> In keeping with the theme of numerous collaborative efforts, Jenn Henry '07 and Greta Alquist '07 and a group of 19 dancers worked together to create a piece during which your cell phone could go off and it wouldn't be inappropriate.<br /><br /> Finally, Alessandra Williams07 provides an introspective look at “Amazing Grace,” inspired and influenced by African-based movement.

So bundle yourself up and get over to the Janet Wallace Fine Arts complex Fri. and Sat. night at 7 p.m. or Sun. at 2 p.m. The show has a whopping 67 dancers, the most in the dance department’s history, and you’re sure to know at least one of them!

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