Thesis concert gives culmination of work

Four contrasting personalities and styles converge in this weekend's MFA Dance Thesis Concert. The first of two such events this semester, the concert demonstrates not only the creativity of the four graduate students who choreographed it, but also the spirit of communication that exists between them.

Holly Hobbs, Corinne Imberski, Nancy Langsner and Antonio Francesco each choreographed a group piece and a solo as part of their two year program of study. Due to the large size of this year's class, their concert will be followed next weekend by a performance featuring three of their classmates. These seven artists have worked together on many projects during the past two years. The concert serves as the culmination of that experience.

In their thesis pieces, the students have a chance to convey a personal message. As a result, the four dances represent a variety of styles. "Modern dance can encompass so many different things," Imberski said. "Each individual can find their own niche in the modern dance world."

At the concert, the dances differ as much as the personalities involved. The inspirations for the students' choreography range from Catholic Church communities to the literature of Milan Kundera.

Langsner used the Rumi poem "Elephant in the Dark" as a basis for her group piece. The poem describes five blindfolded people who have different experiences while seeing an elephant for the first time. Langsner said this demonstrates how people need to come together to understand the whole truth.

In comparison, three Matisse paintings gave Imberski the idea for her group dance. "I guess the message I want to get across is to look at Matisse's works again," she said. "It's kind of an homage to him."

Following the paintings, the dance is split into three movements, ranging from meditative to tense to jubilant. The last movement illustrates the joy in Matisse's painting "The Dance." "I just wanted to show an appreciation for the form of dance," Imberski said. "I want the audience to feel the same love of movement I do."

Imberski's style involved transferring the distinctive forms in Matisse's work to the stage. "I'm very shape-oriented," she said. "I took certain shapes directly from Matisse."

This approach to choreography differs from Hobbs' unique movements, Langsner's flowing movements and Francesco's focus on characters. "It's definitely a good contrast from all aspects," Imberski said.

The choreographers do share a more personal interest in the solo dances. Each one is performing their own creation. "The solo is difficult because you have to create the solo yourself," Langsner said. "It was a lot of searching about what I wanted to express."

After spending time considering their individual messages, the artists blended their own choreography and worked on publicity in order to create a show. "We learned all the nuts and bolts of putting a program on," Imberski said.

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