The WKU Department of Theatre & Dance will host “The Dance Project” on Feb. 8-11 at the Gordon Wilson Lab Theatre.

“The Dance Project is an adjudicated performance of student choreographic work,” Associate Professor in Theatre & Dance Anna Patsfall said. “The dancers conceptualize a piece, go through a proposal process, run rehearsals with fellow dancers, present their work to faculty to be formally adjudicated, and finally see their choreography realized with full production.”

Patsfall said she enjoys watching the student’s work come to life through choreography and enjoys watching the piece progress and evolve as the student receives feedback. 

Cordelia Newton, student director, student choreographer and dancer for the project enjoys the opportunity that “The Dance Project” provides, which allows students to become choreographers. 

“Once we graduate, getting a chance to choreograph with talented dancers with the addition of a mentor is not a common occurrence,” Newton said. 

Newton has assisted with creating social media promotional posts and has served as a bridge between professors and students. As a choreographer, Newton has helped with picking out costumes, picking out lighting and coordinating rehearsals. She also attends practice every Friday as a dancer to prepare her for the performance. 

The Dance Project has been in the works since last semester. 

“Students started the proposal process back in September, and once accepted they started their rehearsal process shortly after that,” Patsfall said. “Many of the choreographers have been working and reworking their pieces for months.”

Tickets will be $7 general admission and can be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office. “The Dance Project” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

“It is really a concert that showcases the variety of voices and viewpoints that the WKU dance students work to develop in their time in the program,” Patsfall said. “There really is something for everyone in this concert.”

News Reporter Maggie Phelps can be reached at [email protected]