By Krystopher Paschen, Megan Smalley and Aaron Green
Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will premiere seven original dance works during the Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble (FADE) Nov. 16–19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Valborg Theatre on the university campus. Ticket prices are $10 for students and $17 for adults.
The Appalachian Dance Ensemble began over thirty years ago as a showcase of work each spring before expanding in 2011 to include a fall performance. This year, faculty pieces include Laurie Atkins’ “Burning Sweetgrass,” focusing on themes of kindness and compassion; a yet-to-be named piece by Emily Daughtridge based on listening to other’s stories; “Shirts and Skirts,” choreographed by Susan Lutz and based on a theme of how clothes can make us feel, act and move differently; and an unnamed piece by Sherone Price dealing with themes of social justice using both African and contemporary dance vocabulary. The three student pieces include junior public relations major / dance studies minor Kathryn Wrenn’s “Celestial,” focusing on energy and the different forms it can take; junior dance studies / recreation management double major Philip McRorie’s “Until all of the Lights Go Out,” which explores feelings of apathy and the process of overcoming it; and senior dance studies major Lucy Winsett’s “Transience,” which is inspired by the process of cell division.
“As one who teaches classes that support the arts, I recognize that some audience members will be first time viewers of the art form. Some think that performing is easy, that we ‘just dance,’” remarked Associate Professor of Dance Studies Sherone Price when asked about the goals of FADE. “I hope that they’ll see the difficulty, but also the beauty of dance.”
The design team for the concert includes students Lizzy Vasquez and Tim Travis working with Associate Professor John Marty to create lighting for each piece. Professor Sue Williams is the costume designer.
Tickets are available in person at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts box office Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., by phone at 828-262-4046, at the Valborg Theatre box office Monday–Friday 1– 5 p.m. and at theatreanddance.appstate.edu.
The Valborg Theater is located on campus at the north side of Chapell Wilson Hall on Howard Street in Boone. The theatre entrance faces the back of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on King Street. Parking is available after 5 p.m. on campus in faculty/staff lots and after 5:30 p.m. in the College Street parking deck near Belk Library and Information Commons.
About the Department of Theatre and Dance
The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region.
Student dancers
From "Elegy," choreographed by faculty member Regina Gulick and performed by Appalachian students as part of the 2016 Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble concert. Photo by Lynn Willis.