KEARNEY – University Theatre at Kearney and the UNK Dance Program are presenting the spring dance concert, “DissonANCE,” Thursday through Saturday in the Miriam Drake Theatre on campus. All showtimes are 7:30 p.m.
Director of Dance Noelle Bohaty examines dances of dissonance in both commercial and concert dance in this evening-length performance. The concert features new works from Bohaty and dance faculty Leslie Abegglen, along with selected student choreography. Guest street artist Teena Marie will present “Laver la Terre” in honor of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop dance. Collaborative pianist Mirim Kim is also featured.
“DissonANCE” examines elements not of unrest or disquiet, but recognizes that the discomfort of difference creates advocacy for change. Moving adjacent to friction instead of imposing opposition creates opportunities for more than the status quo, holding space for change: the real cultural capital of artists and the moving body.
Bohaty’s work “that which weighs us down” examines what we carry with us and what we leave behind, while repertory piece “skINned” explores the skin you’re in, and how external pressures compress and imprint on the physical body.
The dissonance conversation continues with the juxtaposition of musical and dance styles in “Laver la Terre.” Set to an opera score from the 18th century, Teena Marie’s work offers a lens to examine what was once eccentric and is now deeply rooted in modern culture – the perfect parallel to hip-hop in its 50th year.
Student choreography showcases work by Tatum Hilger, Makenna Koehn, Cassie Kouma, Victoria Nimneh, Amana Reed, Morgan Rutledge and Nicole Wojcik. The concert also presents the Solo Series for its eighth consecutive year.
The dance company consists of 24 performers from UNK, in collaboration with both student and faculty designers. The evening features 13 pieces, running about two hours including intermission.
General admission tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youths ages 18 and younger, $5 per person for groups of 10 or more and free for UNK students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased 1:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays at the UNK Theatre Box Office or one hour prior to each performance. For reservations, contact the box office at 308-865-8417 or boxoffice@unk.edu.
PHOTOS BY ERIKA PRITCHARD, UNK COMMUNICATIONS
Student Performers/Choreographers (listed by hometown)
Amherst – Maria E. Klingelhoefer (alumni), dancer
Cairo – Bri Linden, dancer
Chadron – Morgan Rutledge, choreographer/dancer
Columbus – Cassie Kouma, choreographer/dancer
David City – Meredith Dalton, dancer
Grand Island – Kara Almquist, dancer
Grand Island – Casey Sorensen, dancer
Grand Island – Hanna Thagard, dancer
Grand Island – Haley Wiemers, dancer
Imperial – Stephen Johnson, dancer
Kearney – Aspen (AJ) Girard, dancer
Kearney – Abigail Heins, dancer
Kearney – Emma Jahn, understudy/dancer
Kearney – Josie Steele, dancer
Lincoln – Tatum Hilger, dancer
Lincoln – Chloe Bohaty, choreographer/dancer
Lincoln – Cassidy Patterson, understudy/dancer
Minden – Amana Faith Reed, dancer
Newman Grove – Nicole Wojcik, choreographer/dancer
North Platte – Makenna Koehn, choreographer/dancer
Omaha – Victoria Nimneh, choreographer/dancer
Shelton – Breanna Plihal, dancer
Torrington, Wyoming – Brittney Schlager, dancer
Tryon – Theresa Ascherl, dancer
Student Artistic and Production Staff
Alliance – Donna LeMunyan, assistant stage manager
Grand Island – Lainey Schmeits, stage manager
Kearney – Aspen (AJ) Girard, assistant costume designer
Kearney – Taury Himmerich (alumni), lighting designer
Mitchell – Zane Blomenkamp, lighting designer
Papillion – Makayla Strosnider, assistant stage manager
Faculty/Staff/Alumni Artistic Team
Noelle Bohaty, artistic director/choreographer
Leslie Abegglen, choreographer
Andrew Brackett, lighting designer and coordinator
Darin Himmerich, technical coordinator
Bridget Klein, costume coordinator
