Auditions for the Faculty Dance Concert (Dance '10: TranscenDANCE) were held yesterday. It was particularly exciting because of the new dance studio, where the larger space allowed the dancers to truly stretch their "wings" and fly! It also gave the choreographers a little more aesthetic distance by which to gauge performance.
It is always a marvelous opportunity for the faculty to see the new Dance Majors and Minors (AND one of our post-secondary option students), in the audition situation and this group threw themselves into the experience with a determination and enthusiasm that was palpable. I can't wait to see where these talented dancers are four years from now!
But what struck me the most was the growth and development of the dancers from last year to this. I remember the disappointment of some of the dancers last year when they weren't chosen for this experience. The faculty would say he/she "wasn't quite ready." What a difference a year makes!
The progress in technique, maturity, artistry and even just audition skills in these same individuals gave me chills. Truly we all advance in our own time, but it is sometimes hurtful when we don't quite keep pace with our peers. Then to see this beautiful leap past some of those same peers (in certain areas)...well, the dance faculty teaches for moments like these.
I think all of the returning dancers participated in either last year's Faculty concert, joint BFA Senior Concert/Student Dance Festival, Kent Dance Ensemble or "Oklahoma" last year and those experiences were obvious last night. Performing inspires and feeds the dancer's soul, fueling the desire to improve in the classroom throughout the rest of the year. The auditions are like a report card, marking progress.
Of course, we simply could not cast every dancer who auditioned simply because of rehearsal time conflicts. That's always frustrating to the faculty, but we have to cope with that just as the dancers do. Thankfully, at Kent State, there will be ample opportunities for them to perform this year.
The dancers truly inspired us and I look forward to the journey to December 3!
--Andrea Shearer (Assoc. Prof/Dance Division Director)
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