Maura Gibson, a senior dual dance and theatre major from Groves, Texas, is among the talented students participating in the upcoming Fresh Moves Dance Showcase at Slippery Rock University. This event will take place on December 5, 2023, at 19:00 and on December 6, 2023, at 14:00, in the Stoner West Dance Studio Theater.
The showcase highlights the creativity and choreography of current dance students. This year’s event features nine unique performances that explore various artistic expressions. Tickets are available for $10 for general admission, which can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or at the Smith Student Center information desk.
Choreography and Collaboration Highlighted
The Fresh Moves Dance Showcase offers a diverse range of performances, including traditional Bharatanatyam pieces directed by Jaya Mani, an esteemed professor of dance at SRU. Additionally, the showcase will include a historical reconstruction of modern dance pioneer Trisha Brown’s work, “Solo Olos.”
The choreography process for the showcase involved guidance from Lindsay Viatori, the artistic director and associate professor of dance, and Erin Kouwe, the production coordinator and assistant professor of dance. Students participated in a series of labs and classes, receiving feedback from peers and faculty throughout their creative journeys.
Viatori expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Each year we look forward to the Fresh Moves Dance Showcase as it features solos, duets, and ensemble works created by SRU dance students. We are so proud to feature student choreography. These works are the culmination of many hours of embodied and creative research and span multiple movement aesthetics.”
Student Choreographers Showcased
The showcase features the following student choreographers:
– Shea Cooper, a senior dance major from Hanover, Pennsylvania (South Western High School)
– Maura Gibson, a senior dual dance and theatre major from Groves, Texas (Port Neches-Groves High School)
– Brooke McCarthy, a senior dance major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Upper St. Clair High School)
– Lia Palermo, a senior dual dance and sport management major from Warrendale, Pennsylvania (North Allegheny High School)
– Amber Price, a senior dance major from Miamisburg, Ohio (Miamisburg High School)
– Paula Rodriguez-Alvarez, a senior dance major from San Rafael, Costa Rica
– Summer Salos, a senior dance major from Annapolis, Maryland (Gunston High School)
– Mariella Sprague, a senior dance major from Buffalo, New York
– Mackenzie Sprowls, a senior dual dance and English writing major from Washington, Pennsylvania (Lincoln Park High School)
For more information about the event and the SRU Dance Department, interested individuals can visit the university’s official webpage.
Slippery Rock University is a notable public institution offering over 150 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. The university, recognized for its quality and affordability, serves more than 8,000 students and has been acknowledged as a “Best Mid-Atlantic College” by The Princeton Review, as well as being listed among the “Best Regional Universities” by U.S. News & World Report.
The vibrant 660-acre campus includes modern academic facilities, a residential village, and athletic venues for its 17 NCAA Division II teams, making it an appealing option for students seeking a comprehensive educational experience.
