LU dance students premiere original works in ‘MOVE’

The Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance will bring original student works to life Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. with MOVE: Student Choreography Concert, the fall capstone performance for the university's applied choreography class.

Under the direction of Amy Elizabeth Smith, students in the program choreographed and produced the concert from start to finish - developing original works, coordinating rehearsals, managing lighting and sound design, and overseeing marketing and publicity.

"The student choreography concert is one of the highlights of the semester," Smith said. "I have the privilege of watching them take an idea, a seed, a single thought, and bring it to life with movement, costumes, lighting, and more."

The concert title, MOVE, was selected by students to reflect the diversity of the pieces being presented. The event is free and open to the public, and works explore themes ranging from social issues to personal growth and feature styles such as modern, lyrical and contemporary dance.

"The process is not easy and most often requires an advanced level or advancing level of vulnerability," Smith said. "The first-semester students are not only presenting their first fully produced work, but they are setting the work on themselves and putting their full person on display. It is incredible to see them navigate this new territory and come out on the other side of it."

The choreography program's structure allows students to build their skills progressively. First-semester choreographers present solo works performed by themselves, while second-semester students create duets. Third-semester participants expand to ensemble pieces, and fourth-semester students take on special projects incorporating costume, lighting or music design.

"For me, it's fun and interesting seeing the different processes," first-semester student Darius Arceneaux said. "Being in two additional pieces as a dancer as well as choreographing my own solo, I am inspired to create seeing all the different ways people approach choreography. Especially considering this is my first time choreographing period."

Second-semester student Jayleeann Roth said the experience has been both challenging and rewarding. "It has been such a privilege to work with two amazing dancers this semester," she said. "The process I've been exploring has been an incredible experience, and I look forward to rehearsal every single week."

The MOVE: Student Choreography Concert will be held in the Lamar University Studio Theatre, located between the Jimmy Simmons Music Building and the Dishman Art Gallery. The event is free and open to the public.

To learn more about the Department of Theatre and Dance, visit https://www.lamar.edu/fine-arts-communication/theatre-and-dance/.