From April 16 to April 18, the Redfern Arts Center hosted the Evening of Dance. The show weekend wrapped up recently to great success.
The performance consisted of four different pieces, ranging in length from around 5 minutes to around 45 minutes.
The performance offered a wide range of storytelling within each piece, whether that be thinking about how it was to learn to dance with “By Heart,” or telling the tale of a magical aquatic animal with “WishFish.”
The audience showed incredible support for the performers. It was almost impossible to not want to sit up and clap along with everyone.
Kaylyn Moulton and Chris Cloutier, both first-years here at Keene State, spoke about their enjoyment of the performance.
“My favorite moment was during ‘WishFish,’ where they all broke into dance. That was fun,” Moulton said.
“Honestly, I liked when the woman gave birth. That was pretty interesting to watch,” Cloutier followed up with.
Cynthia McLaughlin, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department as well as the artistic director and producer of the show, spoke about the process of bringing this show to its fullest potential.
“The process was exhausting and exhilarating,” McLaughlin stated in an email. “We work incredibly long hours, sometimes very late into the night. We begin with what amounts to a blank canvas. Every single thing you see–every movement and pathway, the energy and intention, the focus [and] the rhythms have to be chosen in relation to the vision for the work. We make, we throw away, we make more; it takes immense dedication but is super rewarding. Keene [State] students are so disciplined and smart. I couldn’t ask for better students.”
“The work is creative and magical and appropriate for any audience,” McLaughlin continued. “Children actually respond quite well to contemporary dance, often being mesmerized by the choreography.”
McLaughlin also highlighted four performers who have been doing the Evening of Dance show since they first arrived at Keene State.
“Ashley Doyle, Allyson Mahoney and Cassidy White,” McLaughlin stated. “They have all been dancing in Evening of Dance since their first year.”
McLaughlin also spoke about her favorite piece within the performance.
“My piece involves a real, large taxidermied salmon,” McLaughlin stated. “I set out with the intention of making this work and the fish being one of the performers. I had absolutely no idea how it would work or if it would work. Would it be too unwieldy? Would it break? Would we be uninspired? It was quite the opposite, and we all grew quite fond of him.”
Michael Ardita can be contacted at
