VARIANCE: A BFA Dance Concert - October 11-13
LONG BEACH, CA September 12, 2018 – The CSULB College of the Arts and Department of Dance present Variance with performances Thursday-Saturday, October 11-12 at 8pm, with an additional matinée Saturday, October 13 at 2pm. Variance is the fourth annual presentation of BFA and guest artist work featuring premieres by Kevin Williamson, Faculty Keith Johnson, and BFA candidates Sarah Culotta, Catalina Eddy, Allie Miks, and Nancy Fernanda Rivera Gomez in collaboration with BFA and MFA composers from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.
The evening offers work varying from the political to the abstract, dealing with issues of technology, women’s health, and the environment.
CSULB Dance is honored to be presenting returns, a new work by LA-native Kevin Williamson. In returns bodies burst in space—colliding, repelling, and circumventing one another in a postmodern vernacular that utilizes the floor, tactility, and various eclectic forms. As the dancers’ exhaust themselves in ensemble efforts and tangled pairings, solos emerge celebrating the journey back to self—and the unique potential of interdependence.
Faculty member Keith Johnson, of Keith Johnson/Dancers presents SERIES:, a solo performance that is part of a larger collection performed by different soloists using the same material but pairing it with different sound scores/music to allow for new perspectives to be found in a consistent movement structure. SERIES: Tightrope premiered at SUNY Brockport on June 23, 2018 as part of the Doug Varone Intensive and was performed by Natalie Desch.
BFA Choreographers Sarah Culotta and Allie Miks collaborate to present Under Control. With projection design by Miks and original music from Bob Cole Conservatory of Music MFA student Shay Swanson, this work takes a look at different personal experiences of women using birth control and explores the often overlooked side effects from heedless prescription.
SHATTERED VISION, choreographed by Nancy Fernanda Rivera Gomez and presented with video collaboration by Gregory R.R. Crosby, looks at the way advances in technology have hindered our ability to maintain meaningful social interactions. The work presents a robotic world: one of finding, chasing, losing—but never really recovering from the damage imposed upon ourselves.
Engaging Prominent Abandon, created by Catalina Eddy, addresses the topic of climate change and our reactions to it, from the personal to the political. Through contrasting movement languages and structures, text, and a sound score brought together by Eddy, the piece looks at how censorship and apathy collide to affect the understanding awareness of our own culpability in this crisis.
Technical Coordinator Stephanie Losleban; Lighting Designer Stacy McKenney; Costume Designer Kelsey Vidic; Filmmaker Gregory R.R. Crosby; and Music Director Don Nichols all offer crucial contributions in their collaborations and consultations with each choreographer. Crosby also provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the works in progress through an on-going pre-show film in the lobby featuring statements from the choreographers, rehearsal photos, and insights into the artistic vision of each of the featured artists.
Following the opening performance on Thursday there will be a short question and answer session with the student choreographers and composers, as well as with Kevin Williamson and Keith Johnson moderated by Concert Director Rebecca Lemme. This is an opportunity for audience members to get more perspective on each of the artists’ approach and process. Students especially are encouraged to stay and engage in this discussion. Friday evening’s performance will be followed by a reception. Saturday’s matinée will be preceded by a community college engagement event; interested dance departments should contact Rebecca Lemme for details.
Variance opens Thursday, October 11 and runs for four performances, closing on Saturday, October 13. Shows are daily at 8pm with an additional matinée Saturday at 2pm. Shows are located in the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater on the CSULB Campus (located just east of the Pyramid on Atherton). Tickets are $20 General Admission and $16 Seniors, Students/Faculty/Staff (with valid ID in person only), and DRC Members.
For tickets and information, please call (562) 985-7000 or order online.
