For Ohio University dance students, a time to dance the night away approaches quickly. The School of Dance is performing its annual winter concert, a showcase of choreography, in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
“The winter concert is a collection of works put together by the School of Dance faculty and outside guest artists that come in,” Lainey Harbert, a senior studying dance performance and choreography, said.
Auditions are held in the fall, and the finished product is performed in February.
This is Harbert’s fourth year performing in the concert. She is in two dances and said there is plenty of variety between each piece.
“There’s a lot of different genres coming into this concert compared to the other ones,” Harbert said. “They were more modern-based.”
Dancing alongside Harbert is Addyson Williams, a junior studying dance performance and choreography. This year, Williams not only holds the role of a performer, but contributes backstage and helps with lighting, sound and tech.
Williams is in a dance titled "This Won’t Last Forever," and she is partnered with an Athens local, who is a graduate from OU. The dancers and faculty work with locals in some of their pieces, creating an emotionally moving and welcoming ensemble.
“Overall, for the whole show, there is just a lot of joy in all of the pieces,” Williams said. “I just feel like this duet (I am in) is just full of joy, and we hope the audience can feel it and give it back to us.”
Joy may be the running theme of this year’s performance, and Jess Hay, a freshman studying dance performance and choreography from Fountain Valley, California, further amplifies that feeling.
A special feature of the winter concert is the first-year performance guarantee. Every year, there is a dance specifically designated for first-year students, giving them not only the opportunity to perform, but to perform together. Hay’s contribution to the concert is within the first-year performance, as well as another piece.
“The one piece I’m in is more of a party vibe,” Hay said. “I have so much fun while I’m doing it and that’s one of those moments where I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, and I’m with the people that I’m supposed to be.’ … The energy is infectious.”
Audiences get to witness the complete, polished product of the dances, but there are challenges behind-the-scenes that create the show.
“I think the biggest (challenge) for us is we had a whole concept and idea, and then one day, the choreographer came in and she was like, ‘This isn’t working,'” Williams said.
In addition to changing some original concepts and choreography, dancers also had a short time to work with any physical props included in the performances.
“Once we get into tech week, the week before the concert, that’s going to be our first time working with some of the props,” Harbert said.
While there were some conflicts that arose during rehearsals, the most important thing the dancers took away was giving it their all.
“Just practice, practice, practice,” Harbert said. “Just keep trying.”
As a result of their hard work, dedication and excitement, the School of Dance strives to present audiences with a sensational, must-see performance.
“In this time period, there’s a lot of negative connotations around art, and especially meaningful art, art that speaks volumes, art that says things that some people are scared to say,” Hay said. “I think this concert really says a lot of those things, sometimes indirectly, sometimes directly. I think it's good for people of all different backgrounds to see what our program has to say in this current time period that we’re in and how we showcase that through our art.”
The creativity and expression within these pieces may astound attendees.
“Honestly, expect to be surprised,” Hay said. “This isn’t your typical dance concert. There is a lot of meaning behind the pieces and sometimes it is hard to look for, but you have to watch and be present.”
Like Hay, Williams said the concert may leave audience members feeling as though they witnessed an unforgettable performance.
“Modern dance is not something you see on your TV every day,” Williams said. “Take everything with the meaning you give it. If it makes you feel a certain way or you get this certain meaning … There is really no wrong answer.”
According to the dancers, each piece is rooted in a sense of belonging, crafting a seamless flow in each dance. The connections and genuine bonds built both onstage and behind the scenes shape the viewing experience for audiences.
After months of rehearsals, challenges and collaboration, dancers prepare to finally take the stage. Students wishing to catch the action can receive free tickets with their OHIO ID Card.
For non-ID holders, general admission tickets are $21 and can be found online, through QR codes in Putnam Hall or purchased at the door.
