Featured Concerts

The Department mounts three types of major concert each academic year which receive two to five performances. The fall Maryland Dance Ensemble concert features choreography by Department of Dance faculty and guest artists, while the spring Maryland Dance Ensemble concert focuses on undergraduate student choreography as well as performance of work staged by faculty members featuring student performance. MFA Thesis Concerts are presented each semester showcasing the culminating work of MFA candidates in an evening length format. First and second year MFA candidates also have the opportunity to present work in a shared concert.

Current Season

Through the Distance and Birds of a Feather
A shared MFA Thesis Concert by April Gruber and Vannia Ibarguen
October 22-23, 2009
Dance Theatre
Directed by: April Gruber and Vannia Ibarguen
Choreography by: April Gruber, Vannia Ibarguen, Dawn Springer
Lighting Designer, Paul Jackson
Costume Designer, Stephanie Shaw
Video Designer, Vannia Ibarguen, Betty Skeen, Dawn Springer
Stage Manager, Erin Glasspatrick

Vannia Ibarguen’s Through the Distance how established relationships change with distance and what virtual extensions has humanity created to continue communication. This piece includes remote, multiple location performances developed in collaboration with dancers from California, South America and Europe.

In Birds of a FeatherApril Gruber draws movement from the majestic crane’s aerial rituals and organic rhythms providing a bird’s eye view of life’s transient nature and the foundational roots that call us homeward.

Fall 2009 Maryland Dance Ensemble Concert
December 4-5, 2009 Ina and Jack Kay Theatre
Directed by: Alvin Mayes
Choreography by: Nathan Andary, Sharon Mansur, Gesel Mason, Alvin Mayes, Sara Pearson, Dawn Springer, Patrik Widrig
Lighting Designer, Paul Jackson
Stage Manager, Erin Glasspatrick

This concert will feature new choreographic works by Alvin Mayes and Dawn Springer and a new site specific work by Sharon Mansur as well as a restaging of Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig’s award winning live documentary Unmoored (Love Letters to New Orleans).

Making Dances / Taking Chances
A Shared Graduate Concert February 18-19, 2010
Dance Theatre
Directed by: Paul Jackson

This concert will feature choreography and performance by Department of Dance Graduate Students.

Geminuspace | Remnants and Ritual
A shared MFA Thesis Concert by Betty Skeen and Diedre Dawkins
March 4-5, 2010 Dance Theatre
Directed by: Betty Skeen and Diedre Dawkins

MFA candidates Diedre Dawkins and Betty Skeen present two evenings of contemporary dance and new ideas as a culmination of their graduate work.

Spring 2010 Maryland Dance Ensemble
April 15-18
Dance Theatre
Directed by: Dawn Springer

This concert will feature choreography and performance by Department of Dance students.