Dancing in the Light

Lindsey Thurman

Lights, costumes and a lot of movement will grace the stage of Russell Miller Theatre tonight at the opening performance of “An Evening of Dance 2004.”

The annual event, which is performed by Western’s dance company in the department of theatre and dance, includes nine pieces inspired by the artistic creations of faculty and guest choreographers.

Director Pam Walden, assistant professor of theatre and dance, said the production has been in the works since the fall and should be an enjoyable experience for audiences.

“There is such a variety of dance,” Walden said. “I couldn’t choose one because all the pieces are wonderful, but every one is still unique.”

“An Evening of Dance” opens at 8 tonight in the fine arts center and runs through Tuesday, with the exception of a 3 p.m. performance on Sunday.

Tickets cost $8 and are available by reservation at 745-3121.

Walden said the production has everything from a clean, contemporary ballet to modern jazz dances, even a piece from the Broadway musical “42nd Street.”

“We’ve got costumes, projections and live piano and vocal accompaniment,” Walden said. “Some of the pieces have a very poetic nature, but others are really edgy.”

Cast member Sarah Obrock a freshman from Hendersonville, Tenn., said the production usually doesn’t showcase this many styles of dance, but it should be good for audience reaction.

“We’re hoping that since it’s so diverse it will appeal to everybody,” Obrock said.

She also said the company has been working since auditions last semester and is looking forward to getting the show on stage.

“The work is challenging because it calls on the dancers to execute different styles of movement,” Walden said.

“They’ve been training hard and putting in long hours. We were rehearsing until midnight (Tuesday night) and they still showed up for my 9 o’clock class the next morning,” Walden said. “This group is diligent in their discipline.”

Reach Lindsey Thurman at [email protected].