This weekend, the students from the theatre and dance department are showing their skill at not only dancing, but choreography as well. “”We Dance/Our Dances”” is a collection of dances created, choreographed and performed by undergraduates and directed by Jean Isaacs. This show gave many students their first taste of what it is like to put a piece together from start to finish. Kanchan Dudani said that the hardest part was “”putting the whole package together on time and seeing if the visions in your head come off on stage.””
This production will include “”At A Stand Still”” by Dudani, “”Laundry Day”” by Lynn Evans, “”To Mana, with Love”” by Amir Khastoo, “”Manipulated Living”” by Lesa M. Green, “”Pulse”” by Jacqui Lang, “”CirculAires”” by Melody Hu, “”Gun Music”” by Risa Blumlein and “”Eclectic Beat”” by Saima Mousseau. These pieces include a variety of styles of dance. Traditional styles such as modern and jazz have a prominent place in this show; however, styles that are less seen on this campus such as tap, hip-hop and thetango are also featured.
The inspiration for the pieces are as varied as the choreographers themselves. Dudani’s “”At A Stand Still”” was inspired by the variety of perceptions of time. On the other hand, Green’s piece “”Manipulated Living”” was inspired by her perception of media on society.
“”One evening I was just watching television and all I kept hearing was ‘plastic surgery,’ ‘perfection,’ ‘happiness’ and how all kinds of unnecessary junk were force fed through media,”” Green said. “”I was inspired to do a piece to kind of wake people up”” – to remind people that we don’t have to follow everything we see on television,””
The wide range of subjects explored in the different pieces ensures that every viewer should be able to find something to connect with. Dudani said that students should come see “”We Dance/Our Dances”” because it “”is something created entirely by their peers. It is also one of the most diverse shows I have ever seen at UCSD.””
Green echoed these sentiments. “”[The show contains] a wide range of dance styles, so everyone would have a good time. “”Thought-provoking,”” “”emotional”” and “”fun”” are words I’d describe for this show,”” she said.
Don’t miss this chance to be one of the first to see some of this generation’s up-and-coming artists present their work to the public. As Green says, “”Support the arts and support your fellow young artists!””
“”We Dance/Our Dances”” will be shown May 30 and May 31 at 8 p.m. in Mandeville Auditorium. The cost is $6 for students, $10 for UCSD affiliates and seniors and $12 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Mandell Weiss Center box office or by phone at (858) 534-4574 Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 pm or at the Mandeville Center box office from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on performance nights.
