Celebration Weekend 2024 was full of family reunions, joy, and dance! Among the many showcases and events the college offered during the weekend, the Skidmore Dance Department presented its annual show at the Dance Theater to highlight the department's versatility and talent. This year's performance consisted of five pieces: Improvisation, Contact Improvisation, K-Pop, a Senior Coda, and choreography by Robert Battle, the former Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This performance is a very popular event at Skidmore; every year, the theater fills with students and families, bringing overwhelming support and excitement. The event is free to the public, with seating running by the “first-come, first-serve” model, and this year, the ushers turned away over 40 people at the door!
The first piece in the show was an improvised group dance. This piece was created and performed by students in Professor Erika Pujič and Professor Carl Landa’s Improvisation I course. This class is very special to the dance department because it allows students to explore creating ambiguous and spontaneous movements while practicing vulnerability. The music for the piece was performed live by Professor Landa, who is also the Dance Department’s Musical Director. Additionally, the choreography was created using a “score,” a written method of outlining consecutive sections of improvisation. A score prompts the types of movements dancers execute in each section but does not specify any particular steps. Each section of the piece has different music cueing the dancers. For example, one section of the piece was about dancing slowly with curved movements, whereas another section was about utilizing space by running around the stage. Each time the dancers practiced this piece beforehand, the steps varied, but the energy remained consistent!
Students performing in the Improvisation dance as part of the Improvisation I course. Image courtesy Allie Pape ‘27.
The next piece was a mesmerizing Contact Improvisation duet by Grace Laurine ‘25 and Augustine Goebel ‘25. Contact improvisation features spontaneous movement with physical touch. The dancers interacted and initiated movement by leaning, balancing, falling, dragging, pushing, and rolling on the floor with one another. Such interactions created an emotional connection between the dancers and, subsequently, the audience. Like the first improvisation performance, the movements in the piece were created on the spot, relying on partnership and trust between the dancers.
Grace Laurine ‘25 and Augustine Goebel ‘25 performing a contact improvisation duet. Image courtesy of Allie Pape ‘27.
The following piece was a K-Pop group dance choreographed by Professor Chia-Ying Kao for students in her K-Pop I course. Students danced to “CHEER UP” by the idol girl-group TWICE. This piece was about representing the individuality of the dancers, allowing them to recognize themselves as “icons.” It was clear how each dancer performed with a unique flair and style in their movements, though as a whole, the movements appeared synchronized. Smiles could be seen in the audience as cheerful music filled the space! Positive energy radiated from the dancers as they made eye contact with each other and the audience during the piece.
Students dancing to “CHEER UP” by TWICE as part of the K-Pop I course. Image courtesy of Allie Pape ‘27.
The third dance was a recent Senior Coda piece titled “She Echoes in Silence,” choreographed by recent Skidmore graduate Eliza Barba-Wheelock ‘24. This piece was initially choreographed last spring for the Senior Coda dance show, a performance highlighting the graduating class, and was performed again in the Celebration Weekend show. This piece was beautifully executed and incorporated advanced ballet and modern dance techniques such as leg extensions and turns. The dancers in the cast were selected by Eliza, and it was evident as to why; each is extremely talented!
Five students, dancing as part of the Senior Coda performance, “She Echoes in Silence,” choreographed by Eliza Barba-Wheelock ‘24. Image courtesy of Allie Pape ‘27.
The final piece in the show was a modern group dance choreographed by Robert Battle. Battle, a legend in the dance community, completed a one-week residency as a Guest Artist at Skidmore College this semester, auditioning and choreographing a piece for students. His dance was fast-paced and hard-hitting, with many repetitive movements such as standing upright and then dropping to the floor or executing a jig step. The dancers' stamina and ability to maintain high energy throughout was incredibly impressive, and working with Mr. Battle was surely an incredible learning experience that the cast will always remember!
With more than half the semester complete, the Skidmore Dance Department has created and performed numerous pieces in various dance disciplines. The department was proud to showcase the dancers' hard work and looks forward to next year's Celebration Weekend performance!