Wednesday, November 28, 2012

A Burden Of Love In Hindsight

Below is a video of Maggie Zoeller and Nicholas Frey talking about their process creating, "A Burden Of Love In Hindsight".

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Heart Asks For Pleasure

 

 As dreamers, believers, and human beings we all venture to seek and achieve a goal or aspiration in life. Getting there is another thing. There are constant doubts, concerns, negatives, and questions that are involved in the journey of getting to the finish line from many people that are surrounded in one's life or even by oneself. How do we get there and how does the journey along the way affect us? Every person has struggled in some way by choosing a dream or desire of where the road is long and dreary or it may never end. Some may give up, but others follow through.This process can feel long, empty, lonely, or even confusing, but as individuals all we ask for is pleasure.













 


Afterimages 2012: An Experience of Personal Growth

Afterimages is fully produced, directed, designed, choreographed, and performed by UWSP Theatre and Dance Students. This performance opportunity allows dance majors and minors to cast, choreograph, and explore creative concepts through an individualized rehearsal process. Theatre majors also use this production as a chance to explore and expand their skills in stage, costume, and lighting design. At the beginning of the semester, 19 students delved into the rehearsal process to make their artistic visions a reality. At the end of October, the faculty and student adjudication panel viewed the 21 pieces in progress and selected nine pieces to continue onto full production. The remaining pieces were presented inAfterimages Outtakes; this informal showing gives the choreographers a chance to share their work with a live audience. In whole, the Afterimagesprocess keeps students heavily involved and active in their personal growth. It requires them to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom and approach their work with a higher level of professionalism and artistic expression. Most importantly, this experience encourages students to commit themselves as leaders and activists in the ever-evolving world of dance.
Afterimages is directed and produced by senior dance majors, Hannah Carlson and Angelina Wilson, along with junior dance majors, Morgan McMahon and Brittany Mlsna. Together, we organized the logistics of marketing and advertisement, prepared the rehearsal calendars and production timelines, fashioned cast warm-ups, maintained communication between choreographers, cast members, and technical crew, and created an overall order and flow.
Hannah ~ With graduation quickly approaching in May, I have appreciated the hands-on experience Afterimages offered me. In general, being involved in all aspects of the production process has been an eye opening experience. As a dancer, choreographer, and director, I have had to balance both the physical and creative practice with the analytical requirements of producing a well-organized show.
Angelina ~ I have valued the opportunity to not only choreograph my own artistic concepts, but also experiencing how my peers approach their choreographic processes differently. Learning from them has immensely impacted my sensitivity to creative thought. Additionally, dancing, choreographing a piece, and directing a production have expanded my understanding of the complexities involved within a live performance.
Together, we both agree that the benefits of the Afterimages process are immeasurable. The amounts of experience we have gained in our various roles have impacted our growth as emerging artists and individuals preparing to test our leadership in the global dance community.


Hannah Carlson and Angelina Wilson

Afterimages 2012 Senior Directors

Monday, November 19, 2012

It's Often the Momentary Rainbows That We Remember

In truth, a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit. - Marge Kennedy

Family values are a little like family vacations. Subject to changeable weather and remembered more fondly with the passage of time. Though it rained all week at the beach, it's often the momentary rainbows that we remember. - Leslie Dreyfous






Saturday, November 17, 2012

Afterimages Press Release


December 6-9th, UWSP’s Department of Theatre & Dance will be presenting nine student choreographed and directed dance works in Afterimages 2012. This year’s performance will be held in Noel Fine Arts Center’s Jenkins Theatre. Come experience dance ranging from ballet, modern, and contemporary in trios, duets, and group works.

On December 6th, 7th, and 8th performances begin at 7:30 PM. A matinee performance will begin at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 9th.

For ticketing information contact the UWSP box office at:
715-346-4242/ uwsp.edu/centers/uit/ordering.asp

LIST OF DANCE WORKS

Title: Selkies
Choreographer: Emily Janik
Dancers: Hannah Carlson, Alyx Johnson, Madelyn Mickelsen, Celia Sweet
Description: Selkies are creatures from Irish folklore who are half woman and half seal. Similar to mermaids and sirens, selkies often take the form of beautiful women, and while many are seduced and fall in love with them, the selkie must always return to sea.
Title: Square Of Life
Choreographer: Mariusz Kujawski
Dancers: Alyssa Albers, Alyssa Casey, Kiah Fischer, Alex Gudding, Mariusz Kujawski, Brittany Mlsna, Ariana Shank, Angelina Wilson
Description:
"This circle of life is a square of strife
with beautiful moments emerging rife
right in front of our eyes if we move
to keep misery from becoming our wife" 

Title: Echo
Choreographer: Thomas Jacobson
Dancers: Kayla Dziak, Suzanne Jamieson, Erica Thomes
Description: Echo depicts the lives of three women dealing with depression and how the emotion affects their everyday life.
Title: The Heart Asks for Pleasure
Choreographer: Madelyn Mickelsen
Dancers: McKenna Emerine, Madelyn Gregor, Madelyn Mickelsen, Stella Taylor, Claire Wyttenbach,
Description: The Heart Asks for Pleasure is a contemporary piece that portrays the finding of hope through connection and support. It can always be an obstacle and a struggle to reach for a goal or desire, but no matter how one is held back, one can always push, dream, and peruse through to achieve all.
Title: Run
Choreographer: Pierre Clark
Dancers: Pierre Clark, Coralys Lugo
Description: This is a classic love story piece about an undeniable love. Two people have fallen for each other, but are separated by the call of duty when one has to go away to fight in a war.
Title: All That Remains
Choreographers: Emily Janik and Kellen Skidmore
Dancers: Ashlyn Cianciolo, Emily Janik, Kellen Skidmore
Description: Every country across the world has myths of specters called "White Ladies". These women died either from the loss of a lover, betrayal by their lover, or in childbirth. Because of their close association with weddings and motherhood, these spirits always appear in white gowns. 
Title: A Burden Of Love In Hindsight
Choreographers: Nicholas Frey, Maggie Zoeller
Dancers: Nicholas Frey, Maggie Zoeller
Description: This piece is about the uncertainty and question of love in a relationship. It reveals flashbacks and afterthoughts of a young couple confused by what they have built together. Sometimes, love is a burden we seek. 
Title: It’s Often the Momentary Rainbows That We Remember
Choreographer: Erica Thomes
Dancers: Thomas Jacobson, Erica Thomes, Jillian Uphoff
Description: It's Often the Momentary Rainbows That We Remember is a dance that explores the range of family dynamics. Through energetic partnering and elegant movement you will see relationships develop on stage as the dancers examine structure.
Title: Dandelion
Choreographer: Kristin Brockman
Dancers:
Jennifer Hancock, Amanda Knutson, Morgan McMahon, Tatyana Nahirniak
Description: Dandelion is a literal story of four strangers who leave their life to stumble into the beauty of nature.  The compilation of self-discovery, complex patterns in space and invigorating shapes through humanistic curiosity, transforms each dancer into an intricate dandelion through Mother Nature's inevitable persuasion.

Afterimages Outtakes 2012



            Afterimages Outtakes took place a few weeks back, and it was a huge success. Outtakes is a wonderful opportunity for student works to have a performance opportunity, even if not chosen for the full production of Afterimages.

            This year, there were 11 works performed on a Saturday night and a Sunday afternoon.  Both days had a full audience of parents, friends, and students supporting a wonderful showing of new works. With emotional and committed student dancing, these striking dances entertained fully for the entire hour and a half.
            There is no doubt that these fantastic pieces showed in Outtakes will increase audience numbers for Afterimages 2012. Many spectators left with words of positivity, and with “no doubts” they would attend Afterimages. Because of the many accomplishments and newcomers watching Outtakes, word is getting out of how much work is put into the process of Outtakes and Afterimages.
            Thanks to all who performed and showed choreography in Outtakes. It was a truly inspiring program of pieces, and there is much excitement for Afterimages coming!

-Afterimages Production Team