The 21st annual Student Dance Project will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 in the Temple Building’s Howell Theatre. The performance is directed by Hye-Won Hwang, associate professor of practice in dance.
The annual Student Dance Project is a program of original work by student choreographers in the Glenn Korff School of Music’s Dance Composition course, taught by Hwang, in collaboration with design students studying with Assistant Professor of Theatre Michelle Harvey, assistant professor of theatre, and stage managers studying with Brad Buffum, production manager with the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.
The show features 21 original works by 22 choreographers and nine graduate and undergraduate lighting designers, along with two undergraduate stage managers. The concert will be performed by 45 dance majors and minors, ranging from freshmen to seniors.
“Twenty-two choreographers, from sophomores to seniors, have literally put a lot of sweat into creating and directing their own dance work,” Hwang said. “Students have made great steps forward not only in their artistry, but in leadership and collaboration skills through working with their casts, lighting designers and stage managers.”
Hwang said the works in the program will feature diverse styles.
“Breaking away from strictly modern-based works, this year’s concert will draw from students’ backgrounds in ballet, contemporary, jazz, street dance, and indigenous cultural forms,” Hwang said. “Dynamic stories, feelings and experience are expressed in this show. Some are joyful and energetic; others deal with personal or serious social issues. I warmly invite people to come and see how our students express their artistic and creative growth through movement.”
Grace Thomsen, a senior textiles, merchandising and fashion design major from Bennington, is choreographing a piece titled “So Let’s Dance.”
“My piece is fun, upbeat and entertaining,” Thomsen said. “It’s inspired by the joy and happiness that I find when dancing. I’m taking a lot of inspiration from the disco era when it comes to my choreography for this work, and I hope that fun feeling is reflected in the piece.”
Thomsen hopes audiences will come out to see the works in the concert.
“People should attend Student Dance Project so they can see all of the amazing and beautiful work coming out of the Nebraska dance program,” she said. “Our program is small, but it is filled with so many talented dancers and choreographers that put their whole heart into their work. Audiences can expect to see a show with pieces that showcase a diverse array of dance styles, from modern and contemporary to hip-hop and ballet.”
Vanessa Uriostegui, a junior dance and Spanish major from Schuyler, is choreographing a piece titled “Humanity is Not for Sale.”
“My work explores themes of Mexican transnationality and the diasporic displacement of cultural identities,” she said. “In particular, I focus on the ways indigeneity manifests within the body, inviting the audience to reflect on the complexities of identity, migration and belonging.”
Maggie Glenn, a senior dance and marketing major from Seward, Nebraska, is choreographing a piece titled “A Breath of Blue.” She said the Student Dance Project is a fun way to see various dance works by UNL dance majors.
“We spent the entire fall semester working on the pieces performed during the show,” she said. “Audiences can expect to see a wide range of dance styles performed, some upbeat and joyful, while others touch on our emotions and make the audience think critically about the piece.”
