It has been eight years since he graduated from Ball State, but alumnus David Reuille has returned to help choreograph and teach the subject that has kept him on his toes since 1994.
Reuille, a member of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, has been dancing professionally since he graduated from Ball State, and has served as a guest instructor to the Lexington Ballet, Peoria Ballet, Richmond Ballet and Owensboro Dance Theatre.
Reuille was brought back to the university last month to help the Department of Theatre and Dance choreograph its annual "Dance! Dance! Dance!" recital, which will be performed in University Theatre beginning Dec. 5. During his recent stay at the university, he also guest-taught ballet and modern dance classes for the department.
Reuille, who has also performed with the Lexington Ballet, Louisville Ballet and Syncopated, Inc., said he enjoys blending many different dance techniques into each of his performances, a habit he learned as an undergraduate at Ball State.
"I enjoy fusing many dance styles together and that is reflected in my choreography," Reuille said.
Lou Ann Young, assistant professor of dance and the university's artistic director, said Reuille's production is one of 11 dances in the show that range from "Five By Jackson," a lighthearted hip-hop piece to "Working For Peace," a morose work capturing the country's emotions since Sept. 11.
"There are upbeat and fun numbers that will put the audience in the right frame of mind to enjoy the show," said Young. "And there are works that address torment, hate and loss that add another dimension to the production."
Young said Reuille, who learned contemporary jazz and ballet at Ball State, was a joy to work with because of his unique but educational styles of dance.
"He stresses many different forms of dance, and that's what we teach here," she said.
Young also choreographed a piece for this year's production, drawing inspiration from "Daybreak," the first movement of the symphony "Florida Suite."
"The music inspired me to choreograph a 'pas de trois' or dance for three," Young said. "It takes place in the woods with frolicking nymphs at daybreak."
Young was not the only faculty member who appreciated Reuille's recent contributions to the department.
Sarah Mangelsdorf, director of dance in the university's theater, said she thought working with Reuille would be a wonderful experience for dance students and that his experience as a professional dancer would serve as an example to others what it was like to work in a dance company.
"It's good for students to see it is possible for someone to join the professional ranks," Mangelsdorf said.
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