Tuesday, May 2, 2006
OU students excel at dance festival
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| (From left to right) Christina Klonowski of Sterling Heights, Deana Deratany of Shelby Township, Marcie Tolbert of Pontiac, Alisyn Glasco, and Terra Koehler of Waterford performed at the ADFA Region Festival and will performed at the national festival in Washington D.C. in June. (Photo By Pablo Bosyy) |
The Oakland University Repertory Dance Company traveled to Wichita State University in Kansas to participate and perform in the American College Dance Festival Association’s Central Regional Festival April 12-15.
The work they performed was entitled “Diet Coke Can Save Your Life" and was choreographed by guest artist Alexandra Beller. This work was included in the gala performance at the end of the festival and was also selected as an alternate for the National ACDFA Festival to be held in June at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Alexandra Beller was a guest artist in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance during the fall 2005 semester. The “Diet Coke” piece was first presented in Varner Recital Hall where it made an impact on audiences not only for its artistic qualities, but because it deals with the complexities of female body image.
Repertory director Mariah Malec had a good feeling about taking it to the festival.
“Alexandra’s work is notable because of the fantastic choreography alone; however, when she layers upon the choreography her ideas regarding females in American society and the unrealistic expectations fostered upon them, the work becomes an excellent example of art as vital societal commentary,” said Malec.
Students who participated are Hollie Bottiglia of Highland, Shannon Busse of Livonia, Katie Deloy of Marysville, Deana Deratany of Shelby Township, Alisyn Glasco of Swartz Creek, Christina Klonowski of Sterling Heights, Terra Koehler of Waterford, Kathaleen Moylan of Clinton Township, and Marcie Tolbert of Pontiac.
For more information about Oakland University’s dance program, visit the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance Web site or call (248) 370-2030.