On Nov. 20-21, the University of Idaho Dance Program encourages all to come watch as the UI Dance Ensemble delves into the world of storytelling and boldness at its fall concert, “Uncharted.” At 7:30 p.m. in the Hartung Theater, the production will showcase the intersection between student choreography and performers, with professional artistry. New works, created specifically for UI dancers, will be showcased on the stage.
This year marks 115 years of dance courses debuting at the university and 50 years since the addition of the dance degree. UIDE was founded to create opportunities for dance students to gain valuable experience in performance and production, easing them into their potential careers. Its addition to the UI Dance Program has been invaluable and exemplifies progress.
Melanie Meenad, the ensemble’s founding artistic director, said that, “Even though UIDE is still young, this cast is shaping the next chapter of Idaho’s dance history.” Engaging with and attending this concert is an act of support for both the ensemble today, and what it took to get here.
Attendees of the concert can expect a wide array of movement styles, moods and creative lenses. Boring and anticipated are certainly not how the concert is to be described. “Ozymandias,” a piece by guest artist Samuel Hobbs, an artistic director of Push/Fold, will explore identity, community and heritage through intense athletic movement. Hobbs’ commitment included spending a week rehearsing with nine UI dancers, ensuring that his work was refined and unique.
Another exciting aspect of the concert is the contributions of Rhea Speights, a new faculty member. She is bringing her award-winning solo, “This Place,” to the stage, where it will be performed for the first time by other dancers. Junior Rosalyn Gardner and senior Hannah Turner will offer their alternate perspective on this vulnerable piece, allowing the audience to analyze their interpretations.
Speights said, “It is fascinating to watch these young artists reinterpret a dance I made 17 years ago. They each are deeply vulnerable in the work and revisiting it has been a surprising journey for me, too.” Speights also contributed to a trio performance, “Anam Cara,” which explores the Celtic concept of a soul friend. Megan Chenault, Scarlett Cromwell and Gardner will bring this vision to life.
Colleen Bialis and Meenan have also used their positions as UI dance faculty members to provoke creativity and contribute to the beauty of the production. Bialis has brought together a quartet focused on contemporary ballet. Meenan has collaborated with seven student dancers to create a piece that represents ideas of resistance, support and causation. Meenan and Speights also worked together to choreograph a large ensemble piece showcasing 17 dancers onstage, making a significant visual moment for the concert.
“While the map of each work becomes clearer with each rehearsal, the actual performance is dependent on the dancers’ commitment to being present with the realities of live performance,” Meenan said. “Each dancer’s presence brings something new to the stage.”
The joint effort between faculty and students to create this concert experience is what UIDE is all about. “Uncharted” will be the coming to life of this togetherness. Tickets for the show are on sale now for $10-18. They can be purchased at uitickets.com.
Macy Gilbert can be reached at [email protected]