ODU Faculty to Perform Modern Dance Concert, “Rituals,” on May 31
May 13, 2014
Old Dominion University will present "Rituals," a faculty-choreographed modern dance concert, at 8 p.m. May 31 at the University Theatre.
The concert features original modern dance choreography by ODU faculty members Marilyn Marloff, Amanda Kinzer and Megan Thompson.
Marloff will present "Lumen Sensibus," in which the mundane becomes sacred and redemptive in dealing with inevitable loss. This duet, set to music by Palestrina and Toby Twining, will be performed by Thompson and Kinzer. Excerpts of "Lumen Sensibus" were previously performed at the adjudicated Richmond Choreographers' Showcase and the Exchange Dance Festival in Tulsa, Okla. The full version of the dance was performed recently at the American College Dance Festival, Mid-Atlantic Region, at George Mason University.
Inspired by the dissonant, yet symbiotic nature of the rich musical score by Ryuichi Sakamoto, "Concurrence," choreographed by Thompson and Kinzer, explores what it means to be connected. Specifically: Does connection require physical contact? Do concurrent movements equate a connection? And can connection transcend physical separation? The intimate duet will be performed by faculty member Ashley Budy Whitlinger and student Lee Gibaldi Knight.
"Concurrence" has been performed at venues in Madison, Wis; Greensboro, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; and ODU. In 2013, it was selected for inclusion in the Regional Gala at the American College Dance Festival, Mid-Atlantic Region, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Knight will also perform a sinuous solo, titled "Depths," choreographed by Kinzer, to music by Beverly Botsford.
The second half of the concert will consist of a multimedia work choreographed and directed by Kinzer. Through dance and video, "Inquest" explores several facets of the European witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries, with particular attention to the experiences of the accused women and their accusers. Local musician Dale Lazar composed original music for the work. The piece features Thompson, Whitlinger and Knight.
An excerpt of this work was performed recently in the Richmond Choreographers' Showcase, and was selected for inclusion in the upcoming Southern Vermont Dance Festival in Brattleboro. In 2013, "Lumen Sensibus" and excerpts of "Inquest" were performed at the Jack Guidone Theater in Washington, D.C.
General admission tickets for the May 31 performance are $14 and $12 for ODU students. Tickets are available online at www.oduartstix.com, at the Arts and Letters Box Office in the University Theatre, by phone at 683-5305 and at the door. The theater is located on Hampton Boulevard at 47th Street. For more information about the concert, call 683-3002.