The Department of Dance at Case Western Reserve University will continue its 2022–23 season with the MFA thesis concert “Springworks” on March 30, 31 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m. and April 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Mather Dance Center.
The concert features works from MFA candidates El-drick Aboagye, Shadrach Arthur and Haiyan Chen.
“Siblings” is a collaborative work choreographed and performed by the three candidates. Set to Nico Muhly’s “Doublespeak,” it is an abstract work that contemporizes movement ideas and aesthetic features from their collective cultural dance backgrounds. The work takes the audience through a journey of juxtaposed dance styles integrated to create dynamics in movement expressions.
“À l’aube” is a female duet choreographed by Haiyan Chen that presents the concept of day and night, as a response to the natural scenery that stimulated the choreographer’s imagination.
Shadrach Arthur will premiere two works: “Akwantu,” and “Pressure.” “Akwantu” is a solo work in three sections that loosely portrays a figure on an unending journey. The piece highlights the gradual steps and milestones an individual achieves on a voyage until the final destination is reached.
“Pressure” is an abstract ensemble work for seven dancers that uses the flutter of energy on stage to characterize different states of fierceness. Set to the music of Philip Glass, “Metamorphosis I,” the work integrates technology by using live video projections to enhance the movements of the dancers.
El-drick Aboagye will premiere “Coup de Grâce,” a work set on five dancers. An unforeseen personal experience coupled with Max Richter’s recomposed version of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” inspired the creation of this work as a mode of expressing repressed feelings.
Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for seniors age 60+ and CWRU personnel, and $15 for general admission.
For reservations call 216.368.5246 or visit the Department of Dance website.