Geneseo Dance Ensemble (SUNY Geneseo/Keith Walters '11)
SUNY Geneseo’s Department of Theatre and Dance Studies presents the Geneseo Dance Ensemble in Dancing to Defy Limits, featuring works by student choreographers. The concert is artistically directed and produced by Professor Jonette Lancos with Associate Professor Mark Broomfield.
The program will be presented in the Alice Austin Theatre, William A. Brodie Hall, on the Geneseo campus on November 21–23 at 7:30 p.m. and November 24 at 2 p.m. The performances are open to the public and free parking is available. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Student Association Ticket Office or online at bbo.geneseo.edu.
All dances are mentored by the dance faculty and choreographed by students or alumni of the dance studies program. Sonia Bartolomeo ’20 presents her work To Be Danced…, which explores risk-taking, the decisions we make as artists, and the relationship between art and humanity. Emily Thamm ’20 presents Duality of Reflection, which portrays the ever-changing perception of body image. Lauren Hummel ’21 created Absence, based on the journey through grieving a loss and finding acceptance.
Two students were invited to rework their dances from Orchesis dance club showcases: Cooper Breed’s Solace, inspired by friendships and building a community, and Zachary Iannotta’s Body Love, which deals with society’s unrealistic standards of body image affecting young women’s mental health.
Invited alumni choreographed works especially for this concert. Samantha Schmeer ’19 created Into the Green for her M.F.A. audition. Homemade Jam, a woman’s exploration of strength and self-reliance, will be performed by Megan Roberts Caughlin ’15.
Rhythms Under the Sun will be performed by the Dance Composition class; Cooper Breed, Samantha Bruno, Jessica Clagnaz, Julia Deacon, Jayme Elston, Zachary Iannotta, Megan Leczinsky, Sydney McCarthy, Sydney Pelton, and Jordan Wisset will present their final projects.
Dancing to Defy Limits is directed by Lancos in collaboration with student assistants and stage managers. Theatre faculty members Associate Professor Johnnie Ferrell and lecturer and theatre costume designer Bonita Stubblefield mentored student lighting and costume designers.
Dancing to Defy Limits is supported by The Geneseo Foundation.