Dancers and musicians from New Mexico State University will join local performers during “Reignite: A Dance Concert,” hosted by the NMSU Dance program March 1-3.
The concert will showcase NMSU dance majors and minors who will perform in an eclectic range of choreographies, including contemporary, hip-hop, flamenco, tap and Latin ballroom. Choreographers include NMSU dance faculty Applehelen Kirby, Ana Suffle, George Torres Jr. and Ryan McMullen, director of the NMSU Dance program.
NMSU dance students Amelia Dunn and Graven Babe were selected from a panel of adjudicators in December to be added to the performance. Students submitted choreographic proposals, held an audition and spent four months working with their cast in preparation for the program’s adjudication concert in December. After a rigorous scoring process and a debrief from a panel consisting of dance faculty and professionals, the choreography of Dunn and Babe was selected for the “Reignite” show.
“After working tirelessly on our respective creative projects, it’s a great opportunity to share our choreography on a broader scale,” Dunn said.
Babe added, “It’s a really eclectic set of styles, each dance is unique to the choreographer's movement preference in a really beautiful way.”
Special guests include NMSU’s Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Band, NMSU alumni, the Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Company of Las Cruces and El Paso Community College Dance Company members, further highlighting various styles of dance and performance.
“Historically, many college dance programs in America focus on Eurocentric forms like ballet and modern,” McMullen said. “While our students train in those styles every semester, they also have access to other Latin-based forms in studio courses and choreographic processes. Our new show, ‘Reignite,’ features dances like the tango, salsa, flamenco and Mexican folklorico forms, in addition to more common dance styles in America like contemporary, tap and hip-hop forms.”
McMullen said the inclusion of these varying styles allows students to diversify their performative and choreographic offerings.
“This inclusion also creates room for an exciting and diverse performance with a dance for audiences of all demographics to enjoy with their loved ones. There is a dance in this performance for everyone,” McMullen said.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 1 and 2, and 2 p.m. March 3, at the ASNMSU Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15 general admission, and $10 for students.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6236167.
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PHOTO CAPTION: New Mexico State University’s Dance program will host Reignite: A Dance Concert, March 1-3 featuring several NMSU and local performers. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Event flyer.