'Swing!' musical to showcase history of swing dance era

"Swing!" will bring the era of swing dance to Ball State in a high-energy musical.

The show itself will not feature any dialogue at all — it's all singing and dancing. The music performances are a huge part of "Swing!" and are reflected both in the show and in the set.

Rachel Stewart, a junior dance major, said the whole cast has been working hard to put on an accurate display of the swing era while keeping the energy up and the music flowing.

“The show itself is unique in the fact that there is no dialogue," Stewart said. "'Swing!' is a celebration of the jazz era and is expressed through a well-known jazz music and high energy dance numbers. Each number works to tell its own story as opposed to one specific overlying plot."

Senior dance major Cody Thomas said he is excited for audiences to see "Swing!" because it is a bit different than the musicals the department has put on in the past.

“I love how we can bring swing dancing to the stage to give it the recognition that it deserves as a social dance form,” Thomas said.

Because there is no dialogue and a strong focus on dancing and music, "Swing!" will be bringing new concepts for Ball State’s Theatre and Dance Department.

This has brought some challenges to director and choreographers Christie Zimmerman and Michael Worcel to collaborate the musicians, singers and dancers. They have put a huge emphasis on the band.

“There is a platform on stage that the band will be visible and a part of the action the whole time, and there are dancers who are performing on the platform in between the band members," Zimmerman said. "I think that is something that’s unique and a little bit different, and I think that helps give the musicians as prominent of a place on stage as the singers and dancers.” 

The show opens at 7:30 p..m. Nov. 4 at University Theatre. 

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