2008 Woodie Awards
PREVIEW: BFA DANCE
By: Anna Forder
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Preview
Webster dance students have spent months choreographing, organizing and practicing for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Show May 3 through 5. The concert will feature the choreography of four seniors and in 11 dances. BFA candidates Dina Ballard, Kirsten Gardenberger and Tara Webb and senior Heather Brown all choreographed and planned the show as the culmination to their Webster dance careers.
Ballard choreographed three dances for the show: a ballet-based trio, a ballet-based solo and a musical theater and modern-based group piece.
Ballard's group piece was inspired by Truman Capote's book, "In Cold Blood."
"I knew it was going to be modern and very abstract," Ballard said.
She said while she was choreographing the dance she studied "movement that an everyday person would do," such as yard work.
Ballard said she layered lines from the book into the all-instrumental music for the piece. She described her piece as dark and a strong piece to watch, and it brings across the feeling of being invaded.
The grieving process was the basis for Ballard's solo, based on losing her father when she was in high school.
"Basically, it's a huge closing chapter because it's taken me the past seven years since I lost him to talk about it freely and openly," Ballard said.
Ballard's trio piece is ballet, because that style makes up the majority of her 14 years of dance. She said the piece represents her evolution as a dancer, beginning with her classical ballet background and branching out as she progressed through Webster.
"It starts out with very strict ballet movements, very classical," Ballard said. "Then, I put in little quirks and things and make the movements more contemporary."
Miranda Miller, a sophomore dance major, is performing in Ballard's trio piece.
"I really enjoy it," Miller said. "It's a really fast up-tempo ballet dance."
Miller said students audition for the BFA show at the beginning of each semester. She said any major is welcome to audition, not just dance majors.
Ballard choreographed three dances for the show: a ballet-based trio, a ballet-based solo and a musical theater and modern-based group piece.
Ballard's group piece was inspired by Truman Capote's book, "In Cold Blood."
"I knew it was going to be modern and very abstract," Ballard said.
She said while she was choreographing the dance she studied "movement that an everyday person would do," such as yard work.
Ballard said she layered lines from the book into the all-instrumental music for the piece. She described her piece as dark and a strong piece to watch, and it brings across the feeling of being invaded.
The grieving process was the basis for Ballard's solo, based on losing her father when she was in high school.
"Basically, it's a huge closing chapter because it's taken me the past seven years since I lost him to talk about it freely and openly," Ballard said.
Ballard's trio piece is ballet, because that style makes up the majority of her 14 years of dance. She said the piece represents her evolution as a dancer, beginning with her classical ballet background and branching out as she progressed through Webster.
"It starts out with very strict ballet movements, very classical," Ballard said. "Then, I put in little quirks and things and make the movements more contemporary."
Miranda Miller, a sophomore dance major, is performing in Ballard's trio piece.
"I really enjoy it," Miller said. "It's a really fast up-tempo ballet dance."
Miller said students audition for the BFA show at the beginning of each semester. She said any major is welcome to audition, not just dance majors.
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