Annual performance returns this year with new tunes and new moves

The Southern Illinois Repertory Dance Theater is once again presenting Dance Expresso in the Shryock Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. April 10. This spring, the dancers have been working extra hard outnumbering last semester's dance numbers. The audience will witness the dancers' dedication as they become mesmerized by the 15 dance pieces, exceeding their usual 10 to 12.

Amid their already busy school schedules, the dancers have practiced one to two hours weekly for each dance. In other words, there are 15 rehearsal slots and Thursday night rehearsals are mandatory.

Even with the intense practices, the dancers never forget the happiness they experience when performing.

"We're there to have fun," President Nikki Larson said. "And we want the audience to have fun."

Larson said they appreciate audience support and want people to keep coming back for each recital.

Of the 23 dancers, 22 are female and one is male, and all but two are enrolled at SIU.

Dance Expresso is made up of mostly jazz and modern dance this semester with a little bit of hip-hop and ballet as well. All dances, except "Cry" by SIRDT Coordinator Donna Wilson, are student choreographed. Freshman Amelia Ecker auditioned dancers for a point piece and successfully collaborated seven girls for the piece.

Each choreographer names their dance piece based on how she wants the audience to perceive it. Larson explains how one piece choreographed by her is about choices.

The piece is titled "Currently In Limbo" and reflects the choreographer's torn feelings between moving onto graduate school or staying close to a loved one. The music's background includes a clock ticking while the lyrics "doing the right thing" escort the dancers through their movements. The dancers perform with their hands tied together.

Other SIRDT members choreographing dances are Vice-President Elizabeth Bowman, Scheduling Officer Ilene Kastel, Mary Doran, La'Quesha Deneice Harris, Alisa McGee, and Megan Rouskey.

"One thing that stands out in our shows is our costumes," Bowman said. Each costume exemplifies the movements in the dances. The dancers buy and alter their own costumes.

For the dance piece to the song "Dirrty" by Christina Aguilera, the dancers wear white athletic tanks rubbed in dirt and decorated in sparkles.

The audience can expect mostly new dance pieces with a few returning numbers from the fall, including "Garden of Eden." Dance experts score the dance routines from the fall semester and those scoring highest are invited back for the spring performance.

Music from different decades frames the entire recital. "Love Cats," an '80s song by The Cure, is included, and on the other end of the spectrum, the dancers perform to Nora Jones' "Turn Me On." Expect to hear music from various genres such as bands Linkin Park, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and singers Peter Gabriel, Ani Difranco, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

Dancers are accepted into SIRDT by Wilson and former SIRDT members. There is no prior dance experience required. Bowman said some dancers have been training since the age of four, while others decide to give it a try upon entering college.

Due to the wide range of dance background from each dancer, Larson said stage presence is the number one characteristic she and other officers look for when auditioning.

The dancers keep busy throughout the year performing at functions such as the Women's Scholarship Fundraiser, Arts and Education, and Arts and Celebration.

SIRDT membership is open to SIUC students as well as the public. Auditions for the fall semester will be held on August 26, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in Furr Auditorium.

The Southern Illinois Repertory Dance Theater's annual production, "Dance Expresso," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets for adults are $7, and students are $5.