The University of Akron Dance Program presents ‘Fall Into Dance’

The University of Akron Dance Program presents “Fall Into Dance,” a concert that features both faculty and student choreographed new works. Performances are Nov. 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. on UA’s main campus at the Paul A. Daum Theatre in Kolbe Hall.

Tickets are $7 general admission, $5 students. Purchase tickets online or by contacting the ticket office at administration.arts@gmail.com or 330-972-7895. For additional information, please visit the School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration online or on Facebook.

“Fall Into Dance” features a collection of works by UA student choreographers Stephanie Anderson, Amanda Kindt, Kylee Lines and Lydia Marshall. New UA faculty member, Valerie Ifill, also premieres a new work, “Lost + Found,” in collaboration with percussionists from the UA Steel Drum Band. This eclectic concert presents new dances by student and faculty choreographers, representing diverse viewpoints and approaches to dance.    

Valerie Ifill

Ifill joined UA as an assistant professor of dance this fall, and was invited here to help develop an Africanist track in the dance program. As an Ohio native returning to her home state, Ifill took the opportunity to explore the concept of rediscovering place. Her piece, “Lost + Found,” developed through a collaborative choreographic process, draws on the dancers’ personal stories of the comfort and complexity of rediscovering familiar places. Ifill partners with the UA Steel Drum Band as a way to incorporate the sounds from her Trinidadian lineage.  

Student choreographer Lydia Marshall celebrates creativity, entertainment and individuality in her dance “StarMan.” Marshall says that “it is amazing to have a group that is so dedicated to and passionate about bringing my choreography to life.” Another choreographer, Kylee Lines, describes the concert as a tool to expand “on my inspiration in an artistic way that feels very natural.”

Student Amanda Kindt reflects on her experience choreographing for a second year. “I understand the process more completely. I have been inspired by my dancers’ personal styles and have incorporated those into the dance as well.” Along this line, Stephanie Anderson notes that setting “choreography on a range of different dancers is always difficult, but my cast did a wonderful job of working together and molding themselves into the piece.”

The University of Akron Dance Program offers both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance. Students receive extensive training in technique, performance and choreography, which is supported by academic coursework in dance history, pedagogy and physical analysis.

Media contact: Lisa Craig, UA media relations specialist, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.