At the end of each semester, MTSU Dance Theatre has a concert filled with dance works choreographed by MTSU faculty, guest artists, and undergraduate students. These works include styles from ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary techniques. The concert is presented in Tucker Theatre in the Boutwell Dramatic Arts building on campus on November 29, November 30, and December 1 at 7:30 P. M.; doors open at 7.
This semester the MTSU Fall Dance Concert 2012 has a total of eight dances. There are two modern works choreographed by Professor Kim Neal Nofsinger, Pace and A Door Into; one contemporary ballet work by Professor Jenna Kosowski; a modern work, Flock, by Sydney Hestla; and a modern solo choreographed and danced by Fernando Ramos.
There are three additional works featured from guest choreographers. Cynthia Gutirrez-Garner from Western Oregon University created a jazz work, Espiritu Vivo, and a modern work, No Dogs Or Mexicans. She focuses on Mexican-American diversity and assimilation of different cultures. Instead of creating a literal narrative, Cynthia creates works based on her studies of racism and discrimination not only in her Hispanic origins, but in all ethnicities. Following that idea of creating narratives, Aaron McGloin creates most of his works on abstract ideas that are based off diversity in movement and themes. Aaron, a rising choreographer of Brooklyn, NY and a graduate of Arizona State University, choreographed a modern work, Chapters.
There are a total of 22 undergraduate students in the company. For each of these concerts they rehearse every night Monday through Thursday, attend a mandatory technique class on Saturday morning, as well as two to three technique classes throughout the week. Needless to say, they work continuously for this concert.
Tickets are free for students with their MTSU ID, $5 for K-12 students, and $10 for the general public. The concert lasts approximately 90 minutes. It’s a great opportunity to view collegiate work done at a professional level.