This has been a stressful week for Ball State University junior Marissa Castillo. Costume pieces are missing, music is late, and it's up to her and seven other dance students to make sure everything runs smoothly. However, Castillo said the frenzy will be worth it when she sees her original choreography performed live at this weekend's Junior Choreography Showcase.
Choreography showcases are an opportunity for upperclassmen in the Department of Theatre and Dance to experience dance from a different perspective than that of a performer. This semester, eight dance students have poured over their music, created themes and concepts for their routines and taught those routines to other dancers. The project will reach its conclusion this weekend, when the dances are finally performed for an outside audience.
"It's giving us a chance to work on the other side of things," Castillo said. "To see all that work come to a really great final product, it's satisfying; it grows into something beautiful."
Sophomore dance minor Allie Fouts is a dancer in Castillo's piece and in a dance choreographed by Michelle Dangler. Fouts said she values the opportunity to present dances created entirely by fellow students.
"You are their creative palette," she said. "You showcase their feeling and work that went into creating the piece."
However, Fouts said, it can be challenging.
"It is sometimes stressful because we're all learning together," she said. "You have to find some feeling and idea of what you want for your piece so that it can inspire you to create a piece you love and are proud of."
Furthermore, she said, the showcase is a chance for dancers to prepare for their futures by gaining experience in auditions and performances.
Dance styles in the showcase range from jazz to ballet to modern to musical theater. Castillo said she recommends the Ball State community attend the performance to see the great diversity in what students are passionate about.
"People can see our individuality," she said. "The dance department is kind of hidden - a lot of people don't know what we do. It's not ordinary; it's movement; it's exciting."
ScheduleJunior Choreography Showcase
TIME7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday2:30 p.m. Sunday
VENUEKorsgaard Dance Studio Ball Gym Room 213
ChoreographersEvery semester, upperclass dance, theatre students turn teacher and choreograph their own routines. Below shows this year's choreographers.
Chadae Nichol: The Man in the Mirror
Marissa Castillo: Solicitude of Simplicity
Michelle Dangler: Untitled
Jennifer Finchum: Journey into Sound
Kourtney Scott: Too Soon
Jules Shumate: 'The Book Report' Revamped
Melanie Swihart: Never Again Will I ...
Jacob Wright: Stargaze
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
