This past weekend, the KSC Theatre and Dance Department presented the 51st annual Evening of Dance.
In her director’s note, Professor Cynthia McLaughlin gave details about the four pieces being performed.
“Tonight, we share four distinct and separate works. They have all been created through a different and unique lens shaped by a choreographer’s history, lineage, aesthetic, and the questions they ask about the world we share,” stated McLaughlin.
She ended her note by leaving a sense of curiosity.
“Tonight, though these works share a stage, and as such, live together. What do potato chips, wedding dances, sunsets, and Hip Hop have in common? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.”
Wilson Hines, a theatre department senior who attended the show, spoke about how the Theatre and Dance departments connect.
“I love to come and see all the different kinds of art here. It’s so incredible and I’m so proud of all these people who come together, making something brilliant and expressing themselves in all these beautiful, exciting and wonderful layers,” Hines said. Hines said he will come back forever if he can.
Junior and performer Ashley Doyle said she was happy to finally perform on stage after rehearsing all semester.
“It was nice to get it all out on the stage after the whole semester of doing it for your professors and with your friends. It’s really cool to finally share what you made,” said Doyle.
Senior and performer Alex Walton expressed an overall sensational feeling after opening night.
“I’m feeling amazing. Opening night was amazing, and the crew did amazing as well.”
McLaughlin choreographed one of the pieces in collaboration with the dancers.
“In all choreography, there is that place of transition going from one body to the other- it can never be exactly the same, so there is always some level of interpretation. But some choreographers really depend on the dancers to help generate material,” McLaughlin stated in an email to The Equinox. “In my work, I do both- most of the choreography is movement that I create on my own and set on the dancers, but there are other sections with choreography that are created in response to a prompt or directive, and then I help shape it.”
Senior Jenna Limperis spoke about her experience performing in McLaughlin’s piece. She mentioned how the piece was very character-driven and how she found herself evolving as a dancer throughout the semester because of it.
“It was something I had never experienced before,” Limperis said. “It was kind of career-changing for me because I felt growth over this past semester being in that piece. I got a newfound sense of confidence, willingness, and am ready to move on in my career.”
Limperis said she is going to miss the safe feeling that the dance community provides.
“We’re always making sure that people feel safe to be able to try all these crazy lifts and throwing each other around all the time,” Limperis said. “It’s like second nature to us because we are so close and trust each other.”
Walton has been dancing for 20 years. With commencement right around the corner, he said he is sad to say goodbye to the dance department.
“My favorite part about performing in Evening of Dance is being around the people I love and dancing with them full out,” said Walton.
He expressed a bittersweet feeling about finishing his last year at Keene, saying he has built so many memories and friendships that he will miss.
“The community here at Keene State is one of my favorite parts of Keene,” Walton said. “The people around me help me so much in growing and help me with my future. That’s what I love.”
McLaughlin stated she is excited for next year’s performance.
“Together, the dancers in our program and I continue to raise the bar in terms of athleticism and creative stamina. I’m so excited to see where we go next,” McLaughlin stated.
Doyle said she shares her director’s anticipation for next year after saying this year has been the most rewarding and challenging of her three years. “It feels really nice to know I can always rise to those occasions and take on all the challenges they bring.”
“I’m going to be a senior, and I don’t want to leave. The past three years have been more predictable, and I don’t know anything about what next year holds. I’m excited,” Doyle said.
Madelyn Marabella can be contacted at
mmarabella@kscequinox.com
