Allentown, Pa. (April 6, 2016) \u2014 Muhlenberg College dancers tell their stories through movement, as the Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance Department <\/b>presents \u201cDance Emerge<\/b>,\u201d a showcase for dance works created by emerging choreographers, as well as Muhlenberg faculty and alumni, April 18-21<\/span>.<\/p>\n Muhlenberg faculty members Shelley Oliver and Jeffrey Peterson will be presenting works for the concert. Alumni Noah S. Dach \u201916, current instructor at Muhlenberg for Aerial Acrobatics, and Courtney Hunsberger \u201915, have also choreographed original pieces for the concert.<\/p>\n \u201cDance Emerge\u201d will be performed in the college\u2019s intimate Studio Theatre, a black box performance space with seating on three sides of the performance.<\/p>\n The concert will showcase nine choreographers and more than 50 dancers from the department\u2019s dance program, which is among the most highly regarded programs of its kind. \u201cDance Emerge\u201d features costume and lighting designs by the department\u2019s acclaimed professional staff. Jeffrey Peterson is the artistic director for the concert.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s been a joy to program this show and help to guide these fine artists toward what is sure to be a vibrant, eclectic show!\u201d Peterson says. \u201cWhat I am most excited about as artistic director of this year’s \u2018Dance Emerge\u2019 is the range of style across these choreographers.\u201d<\/p>\n The nine dances include a blend of jazz, modern, tap, ballet, and hip-hop inspired works. Dach is even using harnesses and bungee cords to create a piece that juxtaposes aerial choreography with movement on the ground.<\/p>\n The choreographers draw inspiration from a broad variety of sources including the states of water, feelings evoked by the sky, and the movie “The Matrix.” Their pieces investigate such themes as joy and simplicity, physical expressions of emotional discomfort, and dynamics of power, among others.<\/p>\n Student choreographer Carolyn Bonaccorsi \u201918 works with her dancers to explore the power dynamics of the current political environment\u2014but with a slight twist.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to reflect today\u2019s social and cultural climate but bring it to the stage in a more absurd form\u2014that lets us laugh,\u201d Bonaccorsi explains.<\/p>\n Shelley Oliver has been working on an independent study with three senior tappers at Muhlenberg, the product of which will be performed for \u201cDance Emerge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy work, titled ‘City Rapids,’ is a virtuosic tap trio, that explores the emergence of a jazztap style of dance from Irish roots,\u201d Oliver says.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cDance Emerge\u201d runs April 18-21<\/span> in the Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Performances<\/strong> are Wednesday<\/span>, Thursday<\/span>, and Friday at 8 p.m.<\/span>; Saturday, April 21, at 2 and 8 p.m.<\/span> Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for patrons 17 and under, and $8 for students, faculty and staff of all LVAIC colleges.\u00a0 For groups of 15 or more, tickets are $13.<\/strong><\/p>\n Tickets and information are available at 484-664-3333 or muhlenberg.edu\/dance<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Muhlenberg College\u2019s Theatre & Dance Department offers one of the top-rated college performance programs in the county, according to the Princeton Review rankings.\u00a0 Muhlenberg is a liberal arts college of more than 2,200 students in Allentown, Pa., offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in theater and dance. It has been named annually among The Fiske Guide to Colleges\u2019 top 20 small college programs in the United States, and the American College Dance Festival Association has consistently recognized dances premiered on the Muhlenberg stage for excellence in choreography and performance. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information Provided By: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nScott Snyder
\nMarketing Manager
\nMuhlenberg College Department of Theatre & Dance<\/p>\n
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