The UNM Department of Theatre and Dance begins its spring production season with the faculty dance concert, AMPLIFY, Feb. 23 – Mar. 4, 2018 in Rodey Theatre. Cutting-edge choreography in contemporary dance and flamenco by international guest artists and UNM’s distinguished resident faculty, highlights the extraordinary talents of the students in the dance program, for an evening of dance that is stirring, thought-provoking, and wonderfully diverse.
Contemporary works include Shimmer by Donna Jewell, Bricolage by Vladimir Conde Reche, and Anthem for a Porcelain Generation by the AGA Collaborative. Works by guest artists in UNM’s unique flamenco concentration include Catorce Dìas by Jesús Carmona, and Málaga by Adrián Santana.
Shimmer by Donna Jewell, UNM’s Head of Dance and the concert’s artistic director, is inspired by the colors and imagery of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, and questions humanity’s capacity for collective cruelty while also producing objects of great beauty.
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” – Martha Graham
Bricolage by Vladimir Conde Reche is an abstract story of physicality and relationships. Addressing the audience’s perspective, Reche says, “In my creations I am invested on the empowerment of performer and viewer throughout the creative process, understanding that their experiences will play a part in the final result.”
Anthem for a Porcelain Generation is an ongoing choreography project the AGA Collaborative undertakes with student dancers during residencies at colleges and universities. It is an exploration of contemporary connectedness that interrogates the students’ complex relationships with social media platforms, communication, and each other.
AMPLIFY includes two works by visiting flamenco artists, developed while in residence at UNM.
Málaga was inspired by the beautiful seaside hometown of choreographer Adrián Santana, who utilizes emblematic music, rhythm and imagery to guide this journey.
The concert will conclude with Catorce Dias. The title of the piece comes from the amount of time choreographer Jesús Carmona took to choreograph this ambitious work: his 14-day residency last spring.
Featuring the talents of dancers Julie Abeyta, Dune Alford, Mariah Baker, Meghan Davis, Samantha Katz, Julianna Massa, Kellie Walsh, Sarah Groth, Richard Kirschner, Madrone Matysiak, Samaria Wiggins, Mikaela Ann Wisniewski, Kayla Bouch, Meghan Davis, Jules Massa, May Souriyanyong, Pamela Castaneda, José Encinias, Nevarez Encinias, Noelle Encinias, Elena Heiss, Andrea Lozano, Jillian Martinez, Justice Miles, Madison T. Olguin, Rebecca Pattichis, Corrina O. Roche-Cross, and Merlot Visocaro, AMPLIFY performances are Feb. 23, 24 and Mar. 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 pm and Feb. 25 and Mar. 4 at 2:00 pm in Rodey Theatre, located in the Center for the Arts on UNM’s main campus.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 UNM faculty and seniors, and $10 UNM staff and all students. Tickets are available at all UNM Ticket Offices, by phone 505-925-5858, and online at www.unmtickets.com.
More information is available at dance.unm.edu or by calling the UNM theatre office at 505-277-4332.