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Personalities inspire dancers' farewell performance

"No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" is a collective concert that marks the end of five undergraduates' educations at the University. As it highlights each dancer's own movement style and personality, the overall feel of "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" is one of maturing artists working within their own realm of experiences and values.

"Three Dreams from the Diary of a Young Woman," choreographed by Aimee McDonald, uses text from the artist's personal journal, as well as music by Lisa Gerrard, the Alloy Orchestra and the Breeders. McDonald explained that when choreographing she tends to utilize breath rhythms and an action's natural flow, rather than impose structure onto movement. "This can be difficult for the dancers," McDonald said. "Since they all come from distinct dance backgrounds. Also, they all breathe differently and have their own sense of timing. Getting them to dance together has been challenging."

McDonald explained that dance explores "the journey to becoming an independent individual and artist. The development of the person and the artist are equally important to me; they go together."

Often the bravest thing for any artist to do is to do something simply. McDonald's method of self exploration allows the viewer to participate in the artist's inner emotions. However, the three sections of her work also bring up universal feelings of isolation, love lost and ultimately group acceptance.

"Don't Reach Back," choreographed by Julia Ingalls, is a ghoulish and playful quartet. Using a music collage that includes the Police, Funkadelic and the Kronos Quartet, "Don't Reach Back" depicts "how people are shut off. Yet at the same time, everyone just wants to break through ... to anybody," Ingalls explained. "I do think the piece is about death, but it's not about depression. It comes from my experiences. It's about strength really."

Ingalls will also perform "The Walk," which will be accompanied live by folk singer and songwriter Brian Lillie. Ingalls explained that the dance deals with "being in an uncomfortable place and then being stripped out of it. In the end, you look back ... and you're OK. Sometimes it just takes a long time before you get to that place."

"Six Degrees" was inspired by choreographer Nancy Moran's recent trip to Costa Rica. Complemented with text by Heather Aldridge, this piece investigates dancers connecting and disconnecting on stage. It confronts the myth of the United States as a melting pot and land of opportunity.

Moran will appear in an athletic solo called "Analysis," which was co-choreographed in conjunction with Assistant Professor Evelyn Velez-Aguayo.

Another piece, "Late One Evening," created by Cheryl M. Iaquinto and danced to music by Cole Porter, deals with a young woman an verge of marriage who is looking back upon her childhood.

The concert also features solo and group works by Joanna Chozen.