‘Beautifully Performed’: Choreographers Showcase Their Work At Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival
Dance choreographers across Texas presented their work at the recent Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival, hosted by the Dance Science program in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts.
Guests viewed 11 performances in a two-act sequence in the Black Box Theater at the Physical Education Activity Program Building. Carisa Armstrong, Dance Science program director and associate professor, said the audience appreciated the opportunity to see a wide range of works.
“The students enjoyed working with professionals from different backgrounds, and it gave them a sense of how many opportunities are available in dance,” she said. “Personally, I am honored to be able to offer this festival to our community and to artists, and thank the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts for the support they provided.”
Jam Martinez, production manager, worked with choreographers behind the scenes on production, lighting, props and costumes. Martinez said he was grateful to showcase work by faculty and students, with work representing the greater dance community.
“While the Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival gets its name from the contemporary dance genre, other dance styles were beautifully performed, including jazz fusion and acrobatic ballet,” he said. “I cannot be happier and prouder of the amazing cast and crew that put it all together.”
Several faculty members presented choreographed work. Armstrong and Diane Bedford, section chair of Dance, Music and Theatre Performance and clinical associate professor, presented “Intertwined.” Armstrong presented her work “Stay Out of Sight.”
Jessica Boone, lecturer, performed her work “Dense Distractions,” and Carolyn Rabbers, instructional assistant professor, presented “Where Our Feet Touch the Earth.” Elijah Alhadji Gibson, assistant program director and lecturer, costumed “Problem Solving,” which was presented by his dance company Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater.
Abby Williams Chin, lecturer, choreographed “It’s Catching,” with music composed by Dr. Will Connor, lecturer in Performance and Visual Studies. The performance duo slowdanger, selected for the college’s inaugural New Work Development Artist Residency, performed “Resonant Body.”
Act 1
“Cocoon,” choreographed by Heather Samuelson of Verve Contemporary Dance Company. Performed by Savannah Bunn, Sophie Jordan, Brooke Lauw, Grant McGee, Dasia Pate, Kenzi Payne, Kailynn Smith, Amari Snead and Mía Tatum. Costumes by Heather Samuelson.
“Dense Distractions,” choreographed and performed by Jessica Boone.
“Stay Out of Sight,” choreographed and costumed by Carisa Armstrong. Performed by Sterling Layer and Abi McKinney.
“Where Our Feet Touch the Earth,” choreographed and performed by Carolyn Rabbers.
“The Path,” choreographed and costumed by Rebeca Gamborino of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Repertory Dance Company. Performed by Analisa Ochoa and Anel Valdivia. Lighting by H. Joseph Diaz.
“It’s Catching,” choreographed by Abby Williams Chin. Performed by Brook Dryden, Sommer Edgerson, Courtney Hejnicki, Abi McKinney, Macey Vasquez, Bailey Zettler and Lenzy Zettler. Music by Will Connor. Costumes by Nicole Burchfield and Rayna Dexter.
Act II
“STUFF,” choreography, costumes and lighting by Jamie Williams. Performed by Jamie Williams and Bethany Mills.
“Intertwined,” choreographed by Carisa Armstrong and Diane Bedford. Performed by Sterling Layer and Abi McKinney. Costumes by Carisa Armstrong.
“Resonant Body,” choreographed and performed by slowdanger. Costumes by Studio HH.
“In Ancient Waters,” choreographed and costumed by Karen Potter. Performed by Richard Oaxaca and Andrea Alvarez. Lighting by Brad Petot.
“Problem Solving,” choreographed by Hutch Hagendorf of Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater. Performed by Sommer Edgerson, Joshua Francis, Rachael Hutto, Joel Rivera and Yu-Ling Yeh. Lighting by Jam Martinez. Costumes by Elijah Alhadji Gibson.
Crew members for the festival: Elizabeth Drake, assistant stage manager; Lyndsey Russell, Dance program support; Rylee Braun, light board operator; Maria Arias Perez, sound board operator; Francelli Orta, runner. Stage crew: Addison De La Rosa, Allyson Medley Horn, Annie Rabel. Ushers: Melanie Wills and Xochitl Rodriguez.
Top photo: “It’s Catching,” choreographed by Abby Williams Chin. Performed by Brook Dryden, Sommer Edgerson, Courtney Hejnicki, Abi McKinney, Macey Vasquez, Bailey Zettler and Lenzy Zettler. Music by Will Connor. Costumes by Nicole Burchfield and Rayna Dexter. Photo by Glen Vigus.
