Millikin concert of original dance, performed and choreographed by students and faculty
Millikin University's School of Theatre and Dance created "Solstice: A Concert of Dance" nearly 20 years ago to showcase the talent and creativity of its faculty and students. That tradition continues Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 12-14 at Albert Taylor Theatre located in Shilling Hall on Millikin's campus.
Light, space, music and movement come together to delight, provoke and inspire the audience in this annual concert of original dance, performed and choreographed by students, faculty and guest artists.
The solos, duets and ensembles are a collection of approximately 20 pieces developed by choreographers in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, modern and contemporary. As part of Millikin's Performance Learning, the instructors teach their students that dance is a blend of movements and storytelling.
In an interview with the Herald & Review, Angie Miller, co-director of Solstice and instructor of dance at Millikin said, "Most of the pieces display some sort of concept. Some are character-driven with journeys and relationships."
The show is an opportunity for dance faculty to research and perform using their own imagination.
"The dance program is growing,"Miller said. "We are bursting at the seams with dances and dancers. The size of the show shows we are growing."
Among the student choreographers is sophomore Nathan Bonsall of Kearney, Neb. "I've worked with lighting designers one on one," he said. "Each of us work individually with the designers. It's a community effort to create this big show."
Bonsall's creation for the show is a duet developed around toxic relationships. "I use movement to tell the story," he said. "It's a move and dance recital."