Candace Beaty
A wide variety of dance styles will be featured Friday when the Ball State Department of Theatre and Dance present "Festival of Dance" at 8 p.m. in University Theatre.
The show is the finale for the Ball State Department of Theatre and Dance's mainstage season. Showcased works include pieces choreographed and performed by students and faculty.
Senior dance performance major Kevin Davis described the show as "an evening of diversity."
Ballet, Latin dancing and tap are among the wide range of dances that will be performed.
Dance arrangement, "American Su-ite," takes the audiences through the styles of American dance including the Charleston and square dancing.-á
"My body is my tool," said Davis. "I move the way I feel." Davis enjoys dancing because "it gives you a chance to express yourself."
Davis encourages students to attend the show because it "gives a little different aspect of performing." He said the the show is not like having to go to a sister's dance recital. It allows students "to enjoy something they may not have seen before," said Powers.
Senior Tiffany Powers choreographed a piece titled "Twilight" which took several months of rehearsals to perfect. The pieces were featured last fall in the senior choreography show.
Powers discovered the music she used for the piece when watching the movie K-Pax. She got the concept for the dance directly from the music. The piece is "about the cycle of Life," said Powers. The dance "goes from dark to light and back to light to represent the cycle of life."
"We have a really strong company this year," said Powers.
Powers hopes to expand her professional dance career after she graduates. She has already been offered a position to perform for a cruise line.
For Powers, being on stage is "a real adrenaline rush" in that she can share her passion for dance.
Jenny Kelms, senior biology major and dance performance minor, said the show has something for everyone.
For Kelms, "The Dichotomy of Desire" was the hardest piece to prepare. "It's a total body workout," said Kelms.
"It's key that we all communicate," said Kelms. Since the dancers come from different backgrounds, it can be difficult to make the dance look together and in unison, said Kelms.
Although Davis does not have a part in "The Dichotomy of Desire," it is his favorite piece in the show. The speed of the dance goes from fast to slow. "I like the movement," said Davis. "It never stops moving."
Other featured pieces in the show include "Restless Night" and "Seeing Through Boundaries."
"Restless Night" is lighthearted ballet piece illustrating a slumber party.-á Faculty member Katie Teuchtler choreographed this piece.-á
Dressed in yellow jumpsuits, seven dancers perform "Seeing Through Boundaries," a piece in which dancers depict mechanical parts.-á This piece is being restaged this year due to its past popularity.
Tickets are $5 for students, $12 for general public, $11 for Ball State faculty and staff, and $9 for senior citizens.
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