GAINESVILLE - Brenau University’s Department of Dance presents two nights of original student choreography on Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7.
The I AM Evening of Dance production features performances from some of the university’s most talented dance students, whose fascinating performance art encompasses everything from ballet to hip-hop.
“This particular production is all done by the students, with guidance from faculty,” said Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, visiting assistant professor for Brenau’s Department of Dance. “They have autonomy over their work, the costumes, the choice of dance and the choice of music.”
Each student – all of whom developed their pieces in a fall Dance Composition II course – will present a solo and group dance. Among those showcasing works include Melinda Cassiday, a junior dance studies major from Maysville, Georgia; Brittany Daniel, a junior dance studies major from Americus, Georgia; Rachel Lange, a junior dance education major from Alpharetta, Georgia; Shanik Moore, a dance education major from Loganville, Georgia; and Allison Smyth, a sophomore dance major from Alpharetta, Georgia.
Lange, 20, will present choreography inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, while her individual performance will be a heartfelt homage to her late grandmother.
“When I am on stage, it allows my mind to go blank and take flight into what I love,” she said. “I think the arts are the best thing to help flourish people’s minds, relieve stress and get creative.”
Daniel, 23, has been dancing since she was just 3 years old. Having instructed youngsters at a studio for six years, she said she’s thrilled to get an opportunity to perform in front of a larger audience.
“That will be a really big and different experience for me,” she said. “I’ve choreographed before for younger students, but to see my own choreography on stage, to watch it all come together and unfold? That’s really exciting.”
Brenau students, however, will not be the only ones unveiling new material at this year’s Evening of Dance. Adjunct faculty member – and former member of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes – Autumn Morgenstern will also unveil an all new tap piece at the event.
“This is my second semester teaching tap at Brenau and I have enjoyed working with the students,” she said. “I love to see how eager they are, and it makes me smile to share what I love to do with the next generation.”
The medium of dance, Cooper-Ashirifi said, is a physical language that everyone can understand – and be moved by.
“Life influences art and vice versa,” she said. “Dance reflects the times that are going on, whether it’s political, spiritual or personal. All of those elements can feed into the dance, and dancers can articulate that through their bodies.”
Cooper-Ashirifi, a performer with the traveling Mawre African Dance and Drum company, knows the hallowed history of Brenau’s dance programs well. She earned a B.F.A. in Dance Education from the university in 2004 before moving on to obtain an M.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography from the College at Brockport.
“We really ensure all our students are exposed to all styles of dance, and we make sure they are knowledgeable and understand the history of what they study,” she said. “This event is a great way to experience great art and evoke emotions. I’m really excited to see these students perform, and show people what’s coming out of this university.”
Both shows will be held at the Pearce Auditorium, 200 Boulevard, on the historic Gainesville campus at 7:30 p.m.
General admission is $7. Senior citizens, children under 12 and college students with IDs will be admitted for $5. Admission is free for Brenau students, staff and faculty with Brenau IDs.
For more information, please contact Cooper-Ashirifi at [email protected] or (770) 534-6249.
