Dancers at the University of Idaho had the opportunity to work with dancer and choreographer, Donald Shorter this week.
Shorter is helping students prepare a piece called “Continuous Replay” which centers on improvisation through the use of shapes. The dancers will continue to work on the piece for a performance in December.

The production incorporates 67 shapes the dancers will perform, each in an accumulation style.
“It will go 1. 1-2. 1-2-3. Until about 45,” Shorter said.

“Continuous Replay” was first performed in 1977, and incorporated the same elements and structure style.
“It is never performed the same twice,” Shorter said.
He said the dance is unique in that there is no set choreography. Instead, Shorter encourages his dancers to “push the possibilities” and make “good artistic choices.”
Dancers auditioned Monday to be a part of the production. Of 35 hopefuls, approxiately 28 were selected, said Greg Halloran, the associate professor of dance at UI.

The performance will last approximately 20 minutes and will be performed in silence for the first half. The second half will be set to music.
“It isn’t one thing. It’s going to incorporate everything,” Shorter said.
He said the best way to describe the piece was “postmodern.”
After this week, dancers will be left to rehearse without Shorter.
Shorter will not be returning to UI for the performance, however, since he has been cast in a touring production of Hairspray.
Shorter began dancing his sophomore year of college.

Once he realized what professional dancing was like, he said he began to train for it.
Shorter said it is one of the reasons he helps college students in productions like “Continuous Replay.”
“I wish I would have had that opportunity,” Shorter said.

He said he enjoys cultivating the next generation of dancers.
Another coach will come to redirect the dancers and to be available during performances.
“Continuous Replay” will be performed on Dec. 5 and 6 at the Hartung Theater.
It is put on with the help of The National Endowment for the Arts in conjunction with DanceUSA and The New England Foundation for the Arts.

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