The lights beamed in Mitchell Theatre, as six dance pieces and more than twenty dancers stole the stage on November 22 and 23.
The night showcased teacher and student-choreographed pieces with themes of nature and creation striving for excellence for God’s glory.
Ella Curry, a sophomore psychology major, emphasized the physical toll and the deep personal connection formed through preparation for the concert. Her goal was to showcase the growth of the dance program and the biblical themes integrated into the performances.
Curry said this year’s dance concert was a chance to showcase talent and hard work through something beautiful encompassing a variety of different styles.
She expressed her desire for the audience to appreciate the art of dance without preconceived notions. Curry danced in four of the six pieces, with her favorites including a Bach concerto-themed piece and a piece titled "Root Network.”
“Root Network” showcased Sara Farnsley’s choreography through a seven-minute classical piece. Chills ran through each dancer's veins as the steps and movement swayed, displaying the theme of tree branches and their roots.
When performing, each dancer interacts with different parts of their body. Through its integration, it all works together. Hanna Fritz, a junior creative writing major, said it reminds her of the way the Bible talks about how all members are devoted to Christ and can glorify Him.
“...When I'm dancing, I'm glorifying God with so much of who I am, and my body is really able to feel like that temple of the Holy Spirit,” she said.
The theme, "Rooting Upward," reflected the program's Christian faith and the pursuit of excellence in dance.
“Love Note” was choreographed by Kori Browder, an adjunct dance teacher, and exemplified a story through the movement of heartbreak that moved towards renewal.
From the props on stage to the flowing costumes and the movement exhibited in the dancers’ bodies, a cute romance was renewed through the 1950s Dena Washington music.
“I would say dance has led me into a much deeper understanding of who God is, not only as a creator but as an artist,” Fritz said.
The concert would not have been possible without choreographers Amanda Browning, Emily Mitchell, Kori Browder and Sara Farnsley, Curry said.
Amanda Browning, an adjunct faculty dance teacher, aimed to provide students with the opportunity to perform concert dance works, including ballet and contemporary pieces, and to build their artistry and performance stamina.
“What we're doing with our bodies is a form of worship; as we strive for excellence and technical precision, that mastery of that skill is glorifying God,” Browning said. “So that's important, that our audience knows that as well. That dance can be so much more than just entertainment.”
Placed in a cathedral with Bach-inspired voices echoing throughout the building, Browning placed her dancers in front of imaginary stained-glass windows to bring ambiance, musicality and a sense of worship into small-town Upland, Ind.
Each piece in the concert displayed a story. The concert aimed to glorify God through the dancer’s performance and raise awareness about the dance minor on campus, Fritz said.
The event helped cultivate a further understanding of dance through teaching and performing so that dancers can go into the world having that knowledge and experience.
“We're training students to go out in the field of professional dance, and we're giving them a taste of that—from the beginning of the audition process through the rehearsal process, through the costuming (and) through the lighting,” Browning said. “They're getting to experience something really knowledgeable that will help them as professionals.”
