NSU Theatre and Dance “Dancescapes”

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will present its Spring Dance Concert “Dancescapes” on Feb. 9-11 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Performance time is 7:30 p.m. each evening with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 11. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children and senior citizens. NSU, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D.  

“Dancescapes” will feature original works from dance faculty Brett Alan Garfinkel, Kirstin I. Riehl, Becky Allen and Joy Campbell. Riehl is the director. The evening will include a mix of classical, contemporary, modern and tap dance  

Students performing in “Dancescapes” are Cullen Barrilleaux, Julia Kuchler, Journey Wills and Jaeda Barrett of New Orleans, Joy Journey Davis of Minden, Jillian Duggan and Trevor Ray VanEaton of Shreveport, Gabrielle Marino and Kwincy Pierre of Lafayette, Ashley Stevens of Baton Rouge, Grace Williamson of Lake Charles, Elizabeth Cook of Alexandria, Makenzie Scroggs of Marksville, Kerrie Spillman of Natchitoches, and Carleigh Murphy of Meadville, Pennsylvania, Makynli Delcambre of New Iberia, Jennifer Langbein of DeRidder, and Vee Duran of Denham Springs are understudies. Khuyen Tran of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is the rehearsal assistant. 

Pieces to be performed are” Winter Solstice” with choreography by Riehl and music composed by Julia Kent with dancers Barrett, Duggan, Marino, Murphy, Scroggs and Spillman and “Changing Tides” choreographed by Riehl with music performed by Joshua Webb. Marino is the dancer. 

‘“Winter Solstice’ is a piece signifying the longest night of the year. The pagan winter celebration is guided with candlelight symbolizing the season,” said Riehl. “Ebb and flow come with ‘Changing Tides.’ Embracing life’s waves restore an internal balance of acceptance and love”. 

The program includes “A Minimalist Coupling” choreographed by Garfinkel with music composed by Jlin and performed by Joshua Jones, Harmony Marsh, Jack Overby and Carson Ward. The ensemble director is Dr. Oliver Molina. Dancers are Cook, Pierre, Scroggs, Stevens and Wills. 

“My approach to this work is different than others in the sense of using musicians in the percussion ensemble as true collaborators in the work,” said Garfinkel. “I am interested in exploring ways to incorporate the musicians more freely with the dancers and having them interact more with each other. The piece draws inspiration from the minimalism era in choreography and the music has a style similar to Philip Glass. It has been very rewarding working with these group of artists.” 

Campbell choreographed the work “Solace Through Harmony” with music composed by Ben E. King Dancers for the piece are: Barrilleaux, Davis, Duggan, Kuchler, Marino, Stevens, VanEaton and Williamson 

“In today’s turbulent times, I was inspired by Ben E. King’s song to explore the importance of supportive relationships through rhythm tap,” said Campbell. “I utilized the dancers’ movements and interactions to depict the importance of having those who will ‘Stand By Me’ when times get tough.” 

“Paper Island” is choreographed by Allen with contributions from the dancers. The music is “Cello Suite No 2. In D Minor: Prélude” by Johann Sebastian Bach played by Paul Christopher, “#2” by Nils Frahm, Aria from “St. Matthew Passion: Erbarme Dich” by Bach with vocals by Ella Castro, an excerpt from “Shatter” by Stephen Montalvo and “Cello Suite No 1. In G Major: Prélude” by Bach played by Christopher. 

The dancers are Marino, Scroggs, Pierre, Barrilleaux, Duggan, Spillman, Murphy and Barrett.