Roberts Dinkins, Jr.
A&E Editor
This upcoming week, the Fall Dance Concert will finally be ready for presentation to The College of Wooster community. It will go down as another great concert directed by Kim Tritt, a professor of dance, the only one employed by the College.
Even though it will be directed by a professor, this production is entirely about the students. Many students have assumed important responsibilities in order for the performances to be successful. Maria Witt ’17 is the co-coordinator of the dance company and had the responsibility of advertising for auditions. Along with this job, she is also going to be choreographing her fourth piece for the concert and will also be dancing in a piece.
Not only will you be able to see Witt’s talent, but many other students’ as well. Emerald Rutledge ’17 will be also be responsible for choreographing some dances this fall concert and is eager to show her growth in this particular concert.
“Well, as a senior who has choreographed in every concert since my freshman year (except the Fall concert last year because I was abroad), I think my primary role in making the concert a success is to ensure that I am continuing to grow as an artist and making sure that growth is shown through my choreography,” Rutledge said.
Having different choreographers for the same concert also allows students to see the creative differences between people. “My dance is about shadows coming to life and having a mind of their own,” Witt said. “It’s very mischievous, and the movement is sleek yet percussive.”
Emerald decided to present a different message for viewers. “Look out for oppositional movement between dancers and think about what that could be representing,” Rutledge said.
This production has been in the making for months. “We had dance auditions for the fall concert about one week after Scot Spirit day. Choreographers chose their dancers and some began to practice that very week. After a couple of weeks rehearsing, choreographers start to work with their lighting designers, submit music edits and think of costume ideas,” Witt said.
My excitement continued to grow when I realized the fall concert will be held in Freedlander in the round. For those who may be unfamiliar, Witt and Rutledge go into more detail. “Since the concert is in the round, I’d definitely say any seat is a good seat because no one will have the exact same perspective/viewpoint of the pieces. That’s what makes this concert so unique. Every seat in the house is a good seat,” Rutledge said.
“The audience actually enters the stage from the back doors, seeing the exposed walls of the theatre. Risers are set up on all four sides of the stage so no matter where you sit, you get a dynamic view. The audience is so close they can hear the dancers breathing,” Witt said. “Fall Dance Concert is my favorite setting in that the intimate stage challenges me as a choreographer to create a piece that can be viewed at all sides and still be interesting.”
Everyone who has the chance should definitely attend. The box office opens on Monday, Nov. 14, and the best part is, the tickets are free. Even though the tickets are free, seating is very limited so be sure to reserve tickets as soon as possible.
The concert will take place in Freedlander on Nov. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is short, taking less than an hour.
“A Wooster student should be excited to attend this concert because it’s a chance to support new choreographers and give them feedback about their choreography,” Rutledge said.
With over 50 students playing some integral part in this performance, this is sure to be a treat for everyone at the College to enjoy.