Young Choreographers forum brings style, technique to Oakland University stage

Young Choreographers Forum brings style, technique to Oakland University stage
Young Choreographers Forum
Oakland University Dance Theatre and OU Repertory Dance Company will present their annual Young Choreographers showcase from April 12-15 in the Varner Studio Theatre in Varner Hall.

Oakland University Dance Theatre and OU Repertory Dance Company will present their annual Young Choreographers showcase, featuring works choreographed by talented OU student choreographers and guest artist Demetrius Tabron, from April 12-15 in the Varner Studio Theatre in Varner Hall.

 

The show will consist of 12 pieces, nine of which will be student choreographed works. Elizabeth Riga will premiere a piece set on Repertory Dance Company and Tabron will premiere a work set on the Oakland Dance Theatre dancers.

 

“As faulty, one of my greatest joys is to watch our students grow in their choreographic style and voice,” said Christina Tasco, a special lecturer in dance and director of Oakland Dance Theatre. “This production allows for just that. Not only will the audience enjoy the strong technique that our students display, but also the wide variety of choreographic influences they bring to the table.”

 

Tickets to the forum are $8 for students or $14 for the general public, and can be purchased in advance by calling Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737, online without a service fee at startickets.com, or in person at the Varner Hall box office.

 

About the Artists

 

Elizabeth Riga received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She ventured to New York City in 2001, where she attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts and received a Master of Fine Arts in Dance. Riga also worked extensively with Keigwin + Company, creating, performing, touring, and teaching as an original member of the company.

 

In addition, Riga has had the honor of performing at the Joyce Theater, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Works in Process at the Guggenheim, the Opening Gala at Jacob’s Pillow, and New York City Center. She has taught master classes at various schools across the United States, including the University of Michigan, New York University, and North Carolina School of the Arts. Riga recently moved to Michigan with her family and is honored to join the faculty at Oakland University.

 

Demetrius Tabron is a 2016 recipient of The New York Dance and Performance Awards/ The BESSIES. His achievement was given for his performance in Donald McKayle’s Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s rendition at The Lincoln Center.

 

Tabron was classically trained at Dance Theatre of Harlem and at its residency in Washington, DC under instruction from Arthur Mitchell, Fabian Barnes, Laveen Naidu and Tyrone Brooks. He continued training at Ellington School of the Arts under the tutelage of Sandra Fortune-Green and Katherine Smith. Tabron also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance/Dance Education from University North Carolina School of the Arts.

 

In addition, Tabron has danced with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Ballet Inc., Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, SD/Prism Dance Theatre, Deeply Rooted Dance and KTM/Xtreme Dance Project. His musical theater credits include Seattle Opera’s Don Quixote and Orpheus and Eurydice, Michigan Lyric Opera’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre’s God Lives in Glass.

 

Choreographically, Tabron has had his choreography debuted at Merce Cunningham Studios, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2, SD/Prism Dance Theatre, Oakland University Dance Department’s “Emerging Choreographers Showcases”, University North Carolina School of the Arts, Eisenhower Dance Center, and In Motion School of Dance (Bermuda). He is also a freelance artist who teaches and choreographs at universities and prominent dance institutions nationally and internationally.

 

Performance Schedule

 

  • Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

 

  • Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m.

 

  • Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

 

  • Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 2 p.m.