[NEohioPAL]ECLECTIC COLLABORATION at KSU's School of Theatre & Dance

[emadden]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DANCE MAJORS STRUT THEIR STUFF IN ECLECTIC: COLLABORATION
Student Dance Festival is choreographed, designed and danced by students

=09Kent, OH =96 Kent State University=92s School of Theatre & Dance will be holding 
Student Dance Festival 2003: Eclectic: Collaboration, March 14, 15, and 16, 
2003.  The student directed, choreographed, designed and danced concert will 
be held in Wright-Curtis Theatre of the Music and Speech building at 8 PM on 
Friday and Saturday with a matinee performance Sunday at 2:30PM.

=09"Move On Love" is based on six women sharing their stories of the ups and 
downs of their relationships and how the support from other women helps them 
move on from the hardships.  Choreographed by Valerie J. Ifill, "Move On Love" 
features Jeney E. Housel, Heather L. Martin, Jessica Mitchell, Allyson Seiler, 
Catherine Thompson and Erika R. Young.

=09"Abuna IkoTO", meaning chance or risk, is a modern dance piece choreographed 
by Anastasia Wilks.  Dancers Jill Battistelli, Jeney Housel, Kate Leishman and 
Melissa O=92Bryan explore ways people handle chance, the unexpected and risk 
taking in this piece.  "Abuna IkoTO" choreography was developed by chance 
methods such as rolling dice or picking movement cards to select movement.

        "The Edge" choreographed by Andrea Zuercher, brings the negative 
impacts of everyday to life through the creepy movement of the dancers.  As 
the dance proceeds, a struggle to find happiness despite all the constraints 
of life commences.  Happiness eventually triumphs as a dancer takes control of 
the duality of life thus suppressing the negative side.

=09"TsacTuo", choreographed by Kate Elizabeth Leishman is a commentary on 
society and addresses those times when we feel like a square peg in a round 
hole.  Erica Smith portrays the one who doesn=92t belong to the group and is 
lead by Brittney Benson.  Because of her differences, Smith just can=92t find 
her niche with the ensemble.  Eventually, the ensemble, consisting of Sharon 
Percoli, Rebecca Egyud, Laura Fry, Jessica Mitchell, Valerie Sukits and Sara 
Vitullo, recognize that being different isn=92t a bad thing and accept Smith as 
a part of the group.  Ending on a high note, this piece appeals to everyone 
because we all have had times where we felt like an outcast.

=09Megan Hasselbeck choreographed, "Sasy Hat", an uplifting style of jazz with 
the use of modern day hats to connect and excite the audience.  Dancers 
include Janice Gillis, Stephanie Iervoline, Shannon Peluso, Erica Smith and 
Catherine Thompson.

=09"Nividimast" choreographed by Danielle Stevens deals with frustration and 
tension.  Her piece shows what happens when a person becomes so tense that the 
frustration takes over the body.  Dancers in Nividimast are Jill Battistelli, 
Lora Eves, Laura Fry, Kent Lucas, Jamie Salontay and Allyson Seiler.

=09Choreographer Lora Eves, explores the effect of memory on our lives and the 
idea that past experiences are always present, whether we want them or not.  
"Little Shadow" is performed by Mary Vaccani and Christyn Rudish.

=09"Rhythmatica", choreographed by Erika R. Young explore the body=92s reaction to 
rhythms in the music.  This very upbeat and lively piece will be performed by 
KSU Dance Students; Danielle Stevens, Kent Lucas, Shannon Peluso, Mary 
Vaccani, Valerie Sukits, Jaime Salontay and Andrea Zuercher.

=09Choreographed by Kristi Schaffner, "Spiritual Machines" looks into the 
potential future of medical science.  The piece explores the possibility of 
humans having their organs replaced by mechanical apparatus.  This piece 
explores the fine line between human and machine through the movement of 
modern dance.
   
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2:30 PM.  Tickets 
are $10 for adults, $8 for Seniors, KSU Alumni and KSU Faculty/Staff and $7 
for students with any valid school ID or under 18.  Groups of ten or more can 
receive discounted tickets by calling 330-672-2497.  The box office opens 
Monday, February 3, 2003.  Box-office hours are 12 PM =96 5 PM, Mondays =96 
Fridays, Saturday during the run of the show from 3 PM =96 7 PM and one hour 
before performance times.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 330-672-2497.  
The box office accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.  Tickets purchased by 
phone must be held with a credit card.  For more information on the School of 
Theatre & Dance visit us at www.theatre.kent.edu.

Contact Information:

Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
emadden at kent.edu
330-672-0103 (Phone)
330-672-2889 (Fax)

Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
School of Theatre & Dance
Porthouse Theatre
330-672-0103
emadden at kent.edu