Author: Noel Hemphill
From traditional Indian and Tahitian dances to more modern dance styles and acrobatic breakdancing, Dance Production 2013 celebrated the efforts of over 300 students in 17 different dances in its 65th year. Electric from start to finish, Dance Production epitomized Occidental’s efforts to support diversity and encourage students to expand their worlds. Changing up the schedule from previous years, this year’s sold out Dance Production held three separate shows, one on Friday evening, a Saturday matinee and one on Saturday evening.
Each of the many pieces was as energetic as the last, showcasing each student choreographer’s creativity and dedication to dance. Dance Production makes it a point to include everyone who comes to tryouts and provides each and every dancer a part in at least one dance performance. Subsequently, an extensive variety of people from novice to expert level dancers, men and women from different parts of Occidental’s student body, are brought together free from the bounds of their respective academic circles.
This year’s event showcased tap, swing, Bollywood, Irish, ballet, modern, hip hop, Bharatanatyam, hula and martial arts inspired movements. Choreographer and Dance Production President Chris Monteath (senior) believes including many different styles makes the show specific to Occidental.
“Occidental is really strong on diversity, and we try to play off of that,” Monteath said. “I get inspiration from a lot of different places, and we really want to have all styles presented on stage. People mainly see hip hop and jazz, but there are things like Irish step that people don’t really think about.”
Opening the show, Dance Production honored groundbreaking performer Michael Jackson. The piece mashed up music from the late singer’s entire catalog including hits from his childhood days with the Jackson 5 to his solo career hits of “Bad” and “Black or White.” Dorothy Gray (sophomore) moonwalked onto the stage as a finale to the magnificent piece. The show then segued into an energetic zombie and monster fright coupled with dub step beats, Caribbean inspired Dancehall moves from Catalyst TV mainstay Afrika Bakenra (junior) and Swing and Tap dance numbers.
Monteath and his six fellow Executive Board members organized Dance Production as early as August to ensure a strong show. Work continued throughout the year with weekly meetings with the 22 choreographers to keep progress on track.
Monteath has participated in the show all four years at Occidental. Teaching is his favorite part of the production. “I love teaching people how to dance and how to move and express themselves through movement. It can be challenging at the same time, but we tackle it throughout the year,” Monteath said. “You get to see the progress of your dancers and get to see your teachings in practice.”
Newcomer to Dance Production Aviva Alvarez-Zakson (sophomore) commented on the community feel that comes with joining this group.
“Everyone embraced me,” Alvarez-Zakson said. “It’s another opportunity to hang out with my friends who are in different social spheres that I wouldn’t otherwise hang out with. It’s very different from everything else I do on campus.”
Dance Production celebrated its anniversary in style with large banners of dancers mid-move towering above students in the Quad and interstitial videos discussing the enormity of dancing in the Occidental community. A special surprise video during the show displayed members of the Occidental Staff grooving to Missy Elliott with as much energy as the dancers on stage. Other dances included a murder mystery dance aptly titled “Who Dunnit?” and fierce high heeled steps from both women and men in Santiago Alcantara’s “Mary Annette.” Altogether, the show was a stunning display of thoughtful and well–executed choreography, perfectly chosen music and flashy moves.
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
