UAA Theatre and Dance presents virtual experience 'UAA Dance in Concert 2021'

From April 9-11 and April 16-19, the UAA Department of Theatre and Dance will present “UAA Dance in Concert 2021” in a reimagined virtual format that features 10 dance premieres and 14 dancers. This exciting experimental event brings together the collaborative skills of UAA faculty, students and alumni as well as community artmakers and a national guest artist.

Celebrated choreographer Meghen McKinley joins forces with UAA Professor Jill Flanders Crosby to create “Shades of Blue.” The choreography also features contributions from Momentum Dance Collective of Anchorage and Motivity Dance Collective of Homer. The performances were inspired by the events of the past year and include both pre- and post-pandemic realities.

“For the live and embodied performing arts, lockdown hit hard,” said Flanders Crosby. “But we took this opportunity to find new voices and directions by pushing beyond what we previously may have viewed as limitations and confines.

Above: Scenes from virtual experience "UAA Dance in Concert 2021" (Photos courtesy UAA Department of Theatre and Dance)

McKinley and Flanders Crosby, with contributions from UAA dancers Tess Zernzack-Hagensiecker, Abbigale Seitz and Lydia Smith, weave choreography with filmed images from Alaska to the Cook Islands to create a mosaic of experience.

Director of photography and editor Daniel Lee — known for his work on reality TV show Deadliest Catch — leads the filming effort with contributions from the choreographers and dancers. Guest video artists AJ Carino and Rachel Ruston, along with UAA students Connor Duffy, Connor Farrar and Kristin Reynolds, combine with nine other faculty, student and alumni choreographers to round out this exciting event. Featured choreographers include Kavya Bhagawatula, Bao Her, Eric Ruston, Abbigale Seitz, Lydia Smith and Panika Teeple, along with dance alumni Katie O’Loughlin and Kristal Y. Peréz Avilés.

“Our dance students, alumni, faculty and guest artists worked hard to bring a vivid UAA Dance in Concert experience to your viewing screen,” said Flanders Crosby. “What emerged are dance on film presentations brimming with imagination, creativity and innovation.”

Streaming begins at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and ends at 10 p.m. on Sundays. The performances can be accessed via the UAA Dance in Concert website using the passcode “uaadance.” In place of an admission cost, the suggested donation is $5-$10.