LU dancers take campus by storm
April 29, 2021 | by Jennifer Robertson
“Dancers Among Us,” hosted by the Department of Theatre & Dance at Lamar University, is a site-specific choreographic final project of the applied choreography class. The laboratory-style class allows students to actively engage in the creative process and present their works to the public. 
This year, due to the pandemic, “Dancers Among Us” will take the audience on a walking journey across campus while showcasing a variety of dance genres in multiple locations. The accessible, yet safe, performances will be held Mon., May 3, and Tues., May 4, 2021 beginning at 7:45 p.m.
“The applied choreography course is divided into sections based on the number of times the student has enrolled in the course. Spring 2021 includes five second-year students and seven first-year students each tasked with completing a different assignment,” said Amy Elizabeth, dance instructor in the department.
“The second years have completely immersed themselves into the site-specific process while working with a small-to-large ensemble, while the first years worked introspectively to create solos to be presented in the round.”
Graduating seniors Alexis Bertrand, Marissa Krustchinsky and Tyler Rooney took to the studio with topics of reflection. “Finish Line” by Bertrand will inspire and entertain through a lively hip hop dance that pushes one to see that the finish line to goals is never too far away. “After the Fall” by Krustchinsky investigates her strength and will to keep going and growing with and for herself throughout her academic career and into her next journey. Rooney’s set, “Garden Square,” encourages the audience to question their own perceptions and explores how to move forward after negotiating a global pandemic, multiple hurricanes and an ice storm over the past year. Faith Boose, a second-year upperclassman, offers a reflection on the children’s book, “The Giving Tree” using ballet inspired dance vocabulary to illustrate an evolution of the relationship between nature and humans.
The first-year solo dancers investigate thought-provoking topics of loneliness, seeking freedom from darkness, authenticity and accountability through self-evaluation and finding joy in everyday life even if it is elusive. Katie Medicis explores how to stand up for oneself in “Consulting Contact” describing “the heaviest and most uncomfortable feeling... [whose] texture is disgustingly painful,” while in “Psychogeography,” Aaron McClendon “become extremely vulnerable with himself and others to create the work.” In Neiyah Hethington takes a stand for others in The Struggle of our Lives” addressing “the fight that any minority may be feeling as our country is in an uproar about inclusion and equality for all.”
“The young artists have genuinely pushed to produce a deeply investigated performance event with something for everyone,” said Elizabeth.
“Dancers Among Us” is the first of its kind to be presented at LU. Join us May 3 and May 4, 2021 by registering at lamar.edu/lutdtix. Tickets are FREE with registration. More information on parking and event specifics can be found on Facebook @lamarutheatredance. For additional information you may contact faculty advisor Amy Elizabeth at amy.elizabeth@lamar.edu.
This year, due to the pandemic, “Dancers Among Us” will take the audience on a walking journey across campus while showcasing a variety of dance genres in multiple locations. The accessible, yet safe, performances will be held Mon., May 3, and Tues., May 4, 2021 beginning at 7:45 p.m.
“The applied choreography course is divided into sections based on the number of times the student has enrolled in the course. Spring 2021 includes five second-year students and seven first-year students each tasked with completing a different assignment,” said Amy Elizabeth, dance instructor in the department.
“The second years have completely immersed themselves into the site-specific process while working with a small-to-large ensemble, while the first years worked introspectively to create solos to be presented in the round.”
Graduating seniors Alexis Bertrand, Marissa Krustchinsky and Tyler Rooney took to the studio with topics of reflection. “Finish Line” by Bertrand will inspire and entertain through a lively hip hop dance that pushes one to see that the finish line to goals is never too far away. “After the Fall” by Krustchinsky investigates her strength and will to keep going and growing with and for herself throughout her academic career and into her next journey. Rooney’s set, “Garden Square,” encourages the audience to question their own perceptions and explores how to move forward after negotiating a global pandemic, multiple hurricanes and an ice storm over the past year. Faith Boose, a second-year upperclassman, offers a reflection on the children’s book, “The Giving Tree” using ballet inspired dance vocabulary to illustrate an evolution of the relationship between nature and humans.
The first-year solo dancers investigate thought-provoking topics of loneliness, seeking freedom from darkness, authenticity and accountability through self-evaluation and finding joy in everyday life even if it is elusive. Katie Medicis explores how to stand up for oneself in “Consulting Contact” describing “the heaviest and most uncomfortable feeling... [whose] texture is disgustingly painful,” while in “Psychogeography,” Aaron McClendon “become extremely vulnerable with himself and others to create the work.” In Neiyah Hethington takes a stand for others in The Struggle of our Lives” addressing “the fight that any minority may be feeling as our country is in an uproar about inclusion and equality for all.”
“The young artists have genuinely pushed to produce a deeply investigated performance event with something for everyone,” said Elizabeth.
“Dancers Among Us” is the first of its kind to be presented at LU. Join us May 3 and May 4, 2021 by registering at lamar.edu/lutdtix. Tickets are FREE with registration. More information on parking and event specifics can be found on Facebook @lamarutheatredance. For additional information you may contact faculty advisor Amy Elizabeth at amy.elizabeth@lamar.edu.