Moriah Mason / Staff Writer
On Feb. 23, the Samford Dance Company premiered its dance concert, “Passages.” Twelve different dance shows comprised the show, each having a different theme.
One show titled “FOMO” was about people’s obsession with technology and how the only way they live life is when their phones are charging. Another show called “Mirror Mirror,” was about how we define ourselves through measurements, rather than focusing on other qualities such as generosity, strength, heart and soul.
“Each show is also a class, or rather a series of interconnected classes,” Mark Castle, chair of the theatre and dance department, said, “Teams work together on building, painting, sewing, cabling and focusing, learning skills in collaboration and teamwork as well as technical and practical skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. These experiences build into a major, a career, and eventually a life in the theatre.”
Alisa McCool, the director of the show, commented on the reasoning behind the title of the show.
“Dance in and of itself is a series of ‘passages’ across the stage-under, over, and past the other dancers,” McCool said. “Regardless of the genre, dancers utilize various ways of moving from one place to another while creating shapes, exploring the space around them, and engaging in diverse rhythms.”
Seniors Emily Thorington and Carol Graffeo attended the concert and enjoyed each performance, from the choreography, titles of the dances and the quotes associated with each dance.
Graffeo suggested something to add to next year’s concert.
“I would encourage them to incorporate another pointe piece next year. I’d love to see more tap dancing as well,” Graffeo said.
Thorington and Graffeo were also able to recognize the amount of time, commitment and creativity for each performance and how the performance reflected the dance and theatre department as a whole.
“Passages” also made Graffeo and Thorington reflect on arts programs inside of Samford as well as the world of arts.
“It is refreshing to see Samford students make art and creative expression a priority in college,” Graffeo said.
