For the first time, Ball State Dance Theatre will put on a show with both live music and choreography. Ball State Dance Theatre Live! opens tonight at University Theatre.
Audra Sokol, assistant professor of dance and director of the show, said it is very exciting to incorporate live music into their concert.
"For most of the semester, we worked with versions of our songs with recorded music and didn't start with the actual live music until recently," Sokol said. "It's been thrilling to have a new energy in the theatre. Live music has such an undeniable presence."
Junior dance major Carley Luster is a dancer in three of the BSDT Live! pieces, including dance styles such as improvisational, ragtime and contemporary jazz. Dancing to live music has been challenging yet exciting for Luster.
"It has definitely been an interesting experience working with live musicians," she said. "We, as dancers, have to anticipate what the musicians will be playing, sometimes the tempos might be a little faster or slower which, I think is really exciting. Having live music also brings a whole new energy to the performance as well. The musicians are having a good time and enjoy playing and as dancers we feed off of the energy emanating from the musicians and audience as well. It is a very interesting and new dynamic added to the show."
Sokol, along with a group of choreographers and dancers, put in hours of work every week. The choreographers work with the dancers for up to four hours a week. The dancers spend 10 to 12 hours in rehearsal every week.
There is no yelling and screaming from director Sokol. She said everyone can learn from everyone.
"Constructive criticism goes a long way in our type of work," she said. "We try to keep an open ear and mind with each other."
Combining live music with choreography presents challenges to both musicians and dancers.
"Tempo and timing isn't usually an issue when you're working with a CD," Sokol said. "It's been a new challenge but one we all certainly have enjoyed."
The ultimate goal of everyone working in the show is to give the audience joy from the new energy coming from the live music and dance.
"We are all working toward the same goal of putting on a great concert and do our best to work out the kinks and hiccups that come along the way," Sokol said.
Susan Koper, the choreographer for the dance show, said the piece was very challenging to create. She incorporated still photographs and movements into her piece and melded two worlds together.
"The inspiration for the choreography was a T.S. Eliot poem, 'The Four Quartets,'" Koper said. "There is a section of this poem that speaks to this idea beautifully."
Koper said she heard the music in the show over a year ago and knew she wanted to choreograph to it. During rehearsals, she and her dancer use the CD recording.
"It has been challenging shifting to the live music now that we are in the theatre," she said. "The selection does not have counts, so the dancer and musician have to establish a rhythm."
As choreographing was challenging for Koper, she described the challenge as very fulfilling.
"It is nice to see all your hard work come together," she said. "It is also extremely rewarding as an artist to see your vision come to fruition."
Ball State Dance Theatre Live! comes to the University Theatre stage at 7:30 tonight through Saturday. Tickets for the performance cost $13 for the general public, $12 for faculty and staff, $10 for senior citizens and $7 for students.
Read More
Ball State football’s True Cardinal 1 Keionte Newson shares his 13-year journey
By Kyle Smedley / 5 days agoThe number 9 represents more than a decade of struggles for Ball State football’s Keionte Newson.
The 6 most memorable moments at the 2024 VMAs
By Sam Jasionowski / October 11, 2024Missed the VMAs? Don’t worry, we have you covered. We hand-picked some moments throughout the night that encapsulate the spirit of the award show like iconic performances, heartwarming acceptance speeches, and the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.
The Department of Theatre and Dance stages 'Kinky Boots'
By Trinity Rea and Olivia Ground / September 26, 2024The Department of Theatre and Dance stages “Kinky Boots” in University Theatre
