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Exploring Movement
Vildana Kurtovic
Brandie Hansen has been a dancer for most of her life, but she says that her THR 354 dance course has taught her to move like no other class has.
"We've been using our own bodies to explore movement," she says.
Hansen is one of 13 students in her THR 354 choreography and production class, some of whom are working toward a specialization in dance. The class has been working toward putting together a final performance, SKETCHES, a collection of dance explorations.
She explains that this course, unlike any other that she has taken, has helped her evolve as a dancer.
"Anything can be dance if you understand why your body wants to move the way it does,” she says.
Throughout the semester, the class has learned about the concepts of choreography. The course taught the students to pick a story line to choreograph only after finding inspiration for a dance from music.
SKETCHES will take nine dances, mostly post-modern and jazz, and morph them into a night of dance explorations. Hansen says that one of the best things that the course has taught her is that dance is not always about expecting the expected.
"Here you can have any body type you want. Body image isn't your normal dance image," she says.
Sherrie Barr, the course instructor, makes sure that her students focus on the meaning of dance before they grasp anything else. SKETCHES, held at the Auditorium Arena Theatre on April 25th at 8 p.m. and the 26th at 2 p.m. will also be part of National Dance Week.
"We are kind of spreading dance as an art form," says Hansen.
While she is anticipating performing in front of an MSU crowd she is also nervous about putting together her choreographed dance. "Being a journalism major, pushing deadlines is in my nature," she says.
The course has taught her to invent moves, and ultimately to grow as a dancer. This time around, reaching deadlines might come a little easier than anticipated.
Admission is free for the show, and all proceeds go to the MSU Dance Programs.
Questions? Comments? Contact Vildana Kurtovic at kurtovi1@msu.edu
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