The Journal

Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: Culture

Media Credit: RYAN RUMBERGER / The Journal Senior dance major Jamie Graham rehearses for the Webster University Dance Ensemble.

With pieces ranging from classical ballet to saucy modern dance, the 33rd annual Webster University Dance Ensemble Spring Concert is coming April 29 through May 1, but preparations for the show began last fall.

Gary Hubler, assistant professor in the theatre and dance department, said auditions were held in the fall and rehearsals began immediately at two to three nights a week. This spring semester, the dancers have been rehearsing at least four hours each night.

This year's performers are a mix of dance and musical theatre majors, but the ensemble is not just for dance majors. Anyone can get involved, Voigt said. It is a requirement, however, for all Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) students.

Junior dance major Maggie Sarmiento is in four pieces for this concert.

She said the rehearsals have gotten easier now that the concert is quickly approaching.

"We started at the beginning of last fall," Sarmiento said. "And this spring we had three rehearsals a night, but now that it is closer to the concert we just run through the pieces each night."­

Sarmiento said that most BFA students will be in the ensemble more than once. This is her second year. A sprained ankle three weeks before the show, however, kept her from performing last year.

This year's concert features nine pieces; four by Hubler and two by Beckah Voigt, associate professor of theater and dance. Three guest choreographers each wrote one piece.

Hubler said he began working on his pieces last year.

"I did one of them in the spring of 2004 for a special performance celebrating the Lewis and Clark expedition and the 1904 World's Fair," Hubler said. "I did one last fall and the other two I started in January."

Each of the guest choreographers auditioned and selected students for their pieces.

Guest choreographer Leymis Bolanos received her Master's of Fine Arts at Florida State University. She is a member of the Florida Dance Association and is a faculty member at Florida State University.

Eddy Ocampo has worked in several musical theatre productions in Chicago and has taught at premier dance companies in Chicago in Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Russian Republic and throughout the United States.

Nick Pupillo earned his bachelor's of science and arts in ballet from Indiana University. He was with Gus Giordano Dance Chicago until 2004 and is now pursuing a career as a freelance artist.

Hubler explained how each guest got involved in this year's show.

"Leymis was at a Festival and the students wanted to bring her in," Hubler said. "Eddy, I have known for a long time and wanted to give the students the opportunity to work with him, and Nick was recommended by a graduate of mine."

The show will run 8 p.m. April 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. May 1 in the Browning Theatre. Tickets are $8 for the general public and free for students.

Hubler said the concert will provide a great evening of dance that covers a wide spectrum of styles.

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