Spring Dance Concert features student dancers

By Ryan, February 25, 2016

By Liz Reichart // A&E Editor

From Feb. 18-20, the High Point University Department of Theatre and Dance presented their annual Spring Dance Concert. Performed in the Pauline Theatre of the Hayworth Fine Arts Center, this year marked the fifth rendition in the department’s tradition of bringing together different themes and styles of dance. Seven moving works made up the 2016 Spring Dance Concert; Lindsey Howie, instructor of dance at HPU, choreographed just a few of these along with adjunct professor Christine Stevens. Guest artist Lindsay Shepherd choreographed parts of the show, giving students the rare opportunity to work with a professional-caliber dancer. Shepherd performs as part of “Be The Groove,” a rhythmic performance ensemble based out of Chicago, IL. The remainder of the show was choreographed by HPU students themselves. This year, students Peyton Senning and Danielle Criss helped choreograph. Students were able to gain valuable insight into the art of choreography and managing teams as they prepared performances for opening night.
Senning, a human relations major and dance minor, created a piece entitled “Trois Tresors.” Dance has always been a subject Senning has been passionate about.
“Growing up with a grandmother and brother who were professional dancers has inspired me to create and participate in this incredible performing art as well,” said Senning.
She was excited to have the opportunity to participate in new pieces and now choreograph, which gave her a new perspective on the world of dance.
“The piece that I have done with this group of students is entitled ‘Trois Tresors,’ meaning three treasures,” Senning said. “It is representative of the fear of the future – the unknown. With music, movement and lighting, there is a moment in time where the fear of the unknown becomes lifted and the dancers find peace with the admission of overcoming adversity.”
Dances this year displayed a variety of styles, including contemporary, jazz and tap. Preparations for the show began in November with auditions, followed by casting and rehearsals several times per week. As the show approached, the practices increased upon the student dancers’ return from winter break.
Sophomore Katie Stagman, a performer in one of the show’s contemporary pieces, says that dance has always played an impactful role on her life.
“Dance has always been something that has been there for me just as a release of emotions and a method of expression,” Stagman said. “When I’m stressed, I’ll just start dancing.”
The sophomore has been dancing since she was five years old and after taking a break in high school, she is happy to have the opportunity to pursue her love of dance again at HPU.
“Having the opportunity to participate in this performance has just given me a chance to get back into something that has always been a passion of mine,” said Stagman.
This year has an especially philanthropic tone to the production. Those who attended the performance were asked to bring nonperishable food items for Open Door Ministries of High Point.
“We hoped to collect as many cans as possible,” said Lindsey Howie, instructor of dance. “I did a food drive for some of my classes last year, so I wanted to see what would be possible by reaching out to our audience. We have a lot to be thankful for and I want us to pass that along to help out the community.”
In the end, the hard work put into the 2016 Spring Dance Concert was evident in powerful movement that graced the stage of the Pauline Theatre.
“I am extremely proud of our students, who have been involved in all aspects of preparing for this concert,” said Howie. “They are performing, they are stage managers and they are involved in the design process for lighting the dance pieces and costuming the performers. The Department of Theatre and Dance here at High Point University is preparing our students for a career in the arts on every level.”