NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Department of Theatre and Dance will present its annual Senior Dance Concert on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Treen Auditorium at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public.
Senior choreographers who will present their original works in the concert titled “Transcend” are Gabrielle Marino of Lafayette, Elizabeth Cook of Alexandria, Diana Mercado Garcia of Cartagena, Colombia, Khuyen Tran and Jillian Duggan of Shreveport, Lara Bankston of Kenner, Jennifer Ann of DeRidder, Makynli Delcambre of New Iberia and Ashanta Wilson of Leesville.
Marino’s works are “The Ground Beneath You” and “A Quiet Understanding.” The cast for “The Ground Beneath You” is Makenzie Scroggs of Marksville, Victoria Freeling of Covington, Nicole Miller of Monroe, Jaeda Barrett of New Orleans and Darrick Jasmine Jr. of Lake Charles. In describing “The Ground Beneath,” Marino asks the audience to “Allow Yourself to connect to the chaos. Can we embrace this feeling when we embrace our shared experience?”
Marino and Barrett will perform “A Quiet Understanding.”
“This piece is a navigation of a relationship built on attention, care, stillness and trust,” said Marino.
Cook’s work is “Moirai.” The cast is Cameron Bruno of River Ridge, Vee Duran of Denham Springs, Ellie Dufrene of Schriever, Ava Schorr of Thibodaux and Kwincy Pierre of Lafayette.
“You’ve made it to the museum with your boyfriend,” said Cook. “A particular Grecian exhibit has caught your eye since you were a little girl. You’ve been planning this day with your love for months, but what if your fate is not what you expected? Are you willing to accept it, or will you choose to resist it?”
Mercado’s work is “Zinnia.” The cast is Liza White of Baton Rouge, Schorr and Susana Polo-Gómez of Cartagena, Colombia.
“Zinnia explores the internal battle of emotions/thoughts within my mind, each one struggling for dominance,” said Mercado. “In the end, they all seek the same destination–happiness.”
Tran’s work is titled “B I R D S.” Performers will be Dylan Freeman of Lake Charles, Freeling, Dufrene and Jasmine.
“’B I R D S’ is a celebration of individuality and freedom,” said Tran. “This piece is a reflection of my journey as a dancer, blending styles that have shaped me. Whether you see freedom, or something entirely different, I hope you feel a sense of excitement as you step into the world we created.”
Bankston’s work is “Fractal Storm.” The cast is Barrett, Bruno, Miller, Scroggs and White.
“This piece showcases the dynamics between struggle and support, coldness and warmth,” said Bankston. “The audience will leave with a sense of strength in community, even in the harshest of conditions.”
Jennifer Ann’s work is “Against the Grain.” The performers are Cara Thomason of Denham Springs, Freeling, White, Dufrene and Alyce Richards of Leesville.
“’Against the Grain’ is about going against what your instincts are or what everyone else is doing to make something you are proud of,” said Jennifer Ann.
Delcambre’s piece is “Awaken.” The cast is Barrett, Pierre, Thomason and Dufrene.
“’Awaken’ delves into the emotional journey of recognizing one’s true self while grappling with the pain of abandonment,” said Delcambre. “It explores the complexity of trust, loss and the healing power of those who stay when others leave.”
Wilson’s piece is “The Final Bow.” The performers are Allyce Richards of Leesville, Arien Thibodeaux of Lafayette, William Kielwasser and Avery Holmes of Monroe, Journey Wills of New Orleans, and NaKeira White of Natchitoches.
Wilson describes “The Final Bow as “an action movie inspired by dance based on assassins and targets. Who will get the final bow?”
Duggan’s work “Continuous” will be performed by Barrett, Bruno, Scroggs and Thomason.
“Continuous was created as a reflection of the choreographer’s journey through college dance,” said Duggan. “Much like the choreographer’s experiences, the piece is full of many highs and lows, yet the dancers never cease to stop and continue on their path.”
