University Dance Company’s Fall Performance

University Dance Company performs “A Game of Chess’ at their fall showcase. Photo Credit / Jamie Reese
University Dance Company performs “A Game of Chess’ at their fall showcase.  Photo Credit / Jamie Reese
University Dance Company performs “A Game of Chess’ at their fall showcase.
Photo Credit / Jamie Reese

BY DANIELLE ERTLE

SC Staff Writer

University Dance Company performed a unique performance for their fall showcase— capturing the audience’s attention.

The first show, “Godessey,” consisted of a small group of dancers dressed in black skirts and green tops— at first in a circle, then gradually spreading out evenly across the stage as their performance went on.

Graceful, brisk, and even robotic movements were shown as a part of their quality of movements. The choreography went well with their slow and fast paced timing.

Their bodies appeared twisted and curved as they moved across the stage—ending on a good note for the audience.

Querk” then came on with three dancers beginning in a widely spread out line—dressed in capris and button up shirts —with elegant movements that were repeated, including a series of arabesques.

This performance lived up to its name: “Querk.” The girls ran and zigzagged all over the stage. They appeared frantic as the music changed from slow to fast paced. The fast paced movement did not stop them from keeping their routine precise and sharp.

The next performance, “Instinct,” brought sad, old-time music to the stage. The girls were dressed in black shorts and long, tight-fitting shirts. They seemed to be presenting a theme—use instinct when danger is coming, and move quickly to avoid it. It felt like the audience was watching a short story. The dance showed the girls trying to get away from the danger by pushing through each other’s arms.

At the end, the music and their movements slowed down.

Right after that, “Flash/Black” came on starring Dr. Gibbons. It presented a feeling of longing for the past. Her movements were graceful, soft, smooth, and her face radiated as she moved across the stage.

When the music changed, so did the expressions on her face. She was jerking backward, and grabbing the air with her hands. The motions were frantic and sad, working to captivate the audience.

The last performance before intermission was “Over the Edge,” consisting of three girls who were wearing black leggings and flowy shirts.

The girls began their routine on the floor with one girl standing up, and the rest following as it continued.

This routine had a lot of head bobbing, rolling of the shoulders, and dropping to the floor. Towards the end there was intense handshaking. Their bodies were curving and twisting, and one girl was bending over while the music and timing were fast paced.

Through these series of movements, the theme of the performance became evident—the insanity one has right as they are going over the edge and completely losing it.

After intermission, four more dances remained, and the performance of “Caught” definitely had a theme of being caught at something that one shouldn’t do.

The girls began their performance with rustling through baskets of clothes and papers with a girl reciting a poem as a voice over.

There was a lot of clapping and jumping on the orange chairs that were displayed around the stage.

Following the fast paced timing of the music, they all moved in unity with their arms and legs.

As their performance progressed, their movements became more precise and brisk.

Towards the end, the girls lined themselves up across the stage—one girl was scared, and pushed the chairs aside as she shifted through the clothes.

The next performance, “A Game of Chess,” had the girls dressed in black and white tutus with black canes.

They were moving across the stage as if they were chess pieces. The music had a dark and dangerous vibe to it. The rhythm they kept repeating was the tapping of the wands together, then lining themselves up side by side, flinging out their wands to the audience, and creating a domino effect of it.

Soon after, they created a circle, raising their wands high in the air, and repeatedly turning with the wands in the air. At the end, they were banging their wands on the floor of the stage.

The second to last performance, “The Heart Knows,” was performed by one dancer, and in her long, flowy blue costume, she moved gracefully across the stage.

The last performance before curtain call was “Peace,” and two girls—dressed in black skirts and tight tops—repeated multiple turns to upbeat music.

Then three other girls dressed in gray, loose clothingcame close together, clapping their hands, moving in unity, and repeating jumps and turns across the stage.

Curtain call then came with all the dancers gathered in a circle. They were clapping their hands and expressing themselves with their own dance moves—giving the audience a unique dance performance this year.

 Email Danielle at:

dertle@live.esu.edu