Movement blossomed across the B. Iden Payne auditorium stage as dancers explored the renewal brought by spring, a time when light and dark converge in perfect harmony. “Equinox” offered an open conversation between performers and audience members about elements of contemporary dance and how to approach watching the spring showcase.
The Dance Repertory Theatre’s spring performance “Equinox” ran from April 1-4 and demonstrated the talents and visions of UT’s dance and theater departments.
“One of the things we were looking at was a sense of fun and play,” said Gesel Mason, co-artistic director and professor of dance. “There’s a lot going on in the world, but then we’re acknowledging that in order to get to play.”
Aptly named “How to Watch a Dance Repertory Theatre Concert,” the opening number featured two comedic narrators and the entire company of the evening, which prepared audiences for the multimedia experience of the spring show. Mason choreographed the piece in collaboration with members of the company. She said it provides an invitation to the audience to just have a good time and relax since some people feel apprehensive about going to see a dance concert.
“All the pieces are very, very different,” Mason said. “That’s one of the joys of a repertory theater concert, we’re exploring different forms.”
London Lack, a senior dance and Plan II honors student, choreographed “Shadow Puppets,” a contemporary ballet piece where a single dancer performed on pointe in front of a large cream sheet, while shadows created by light projection controlled her movements until she breaks free. She said her piece explores the theory of the collective unconscious, a philosophical archetype dissecting the different versions of self that exist within us.
“I’m hoping to leave people with a feeling of hope,” Lack said. “And (I’m) encouraging people to conduct their own self-reflection and kind of see themselves in the shadows in different ways.”
Senior dance major Makaila Natividad performed in front of the sheet on April 2 in a strong display of emotion and grace as the shadows fractured behind her. She said this felt like a full-circle moment, because in her freshman year, Lack danced in a piece with her, and now she’s dancing in a piece Lack choreographed this year.
“Out of all the dance styles, (ballet) messes with young women and young girls mentally, because you have to conform to certain body types,” Natividad said. “But it’s been really freeing being in our department specifically (because) they talk a lot about how ballet is for everyone.”
Senior Daniela Mendes Albert’s piece “I am here” displayed dancers struggling with being drawn to a screen while techno high-paced music reverberated throughout the auditorium. She said the piece is a reflection on how disconnected a lot of our generation is from the world around us and our own bodies.
“It’s interesting from the perspective of a student choreographer, because I’m working with my friends,” Mendes said. “It feels really good to see your friends in a different light and see (them) be the ones to bring your vision to life.”
