University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance to Present DANCE UP CLOSE, 12/3-7

The University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance's nationally acclaimed Dance Program is excited to announce the premier of its most intimate dance concert of the year, Dance Up Close. This concert invites the audience into the black-box Masquer Theatre. Here, the audience is seated in close proximity to the dancers so that each detail can be seen, each breath can be heard, and the movement of the dancers can be felt. The edge between performer and audience is blurred; it is a rich experience that should not be missed.

Dance Up Close offers the audience two alternating concerts that feature 17 original dance works that vary greatly in genre and include contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, and percussion-based dance forms. Choreography will be presented by UM faculty, alumni, an MFA acting candidate, undergraduate theatre and dance students, and guest artist Jessica Mullette.

The Dance Program is honored to present a new work conceived by photographer/video artist William Muñoz. This work is a collaboration between Muñoz, two UM dance program graduates, Allison Herther and Kaitlin Kinsley, and lighting design MFA candidate Zach Hamersley. It is an intimate recalling of how memories shape our lives. The performance employs a unique circular video screen composed of VHS video tape that metaphorically and literally captures and reflects video images as nine dancers move throughout the massive structure. The effect is a visual, emotional, and physical kaleidoscope of extraordinary power.

Another highlight of this year's Dance Up Close is choreography by dance major Arina Hunter. Her solo, Rhythmic Soul, explores body percussion as the sound score. Her body is the instrument: the inventive sound score is created and manipulated through her movement. Tension and excitement are inherent as she layers complex body rhythms into explosive movement.

The concert also features a collaboration between Associate Professor Heidi Jones Eggert and dance major Jordan Freeman. Their work is an exhilarating exploration of the melding of hip-hop and contemporary dance and includes live percussion by students from the UM School of Music.

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