NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance and the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission will present Modern in Motion VIII on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and Oct.10 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the Riverbank Stage in downtown Natchitoches.
Tickets are available via donation at
It is recommended that those who attend wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
The choreographers of the program are Kirstin Riehl, Michael Lomeka and Rebecca Morgan, who are members of Northwestern State dance faculty. The choreographers worked individually on their pieces and will tie them together for the performance. The music is by the composer Wytold (William Wytold Lebing).
“When I was creating my work I focused on incorporating the dancers around the two beautiful oak trees,” said Riehl. “My second piece is a playful melodic piece that depicts a ballet barre against the river. I always enjoy the process of site-specific work in that it opens doors for exploration that you do not have in a proscenium theatre.”
Riehl said the faculty chose the river front for its natural beauty and to support safe social distancing so the audience can enjoy a live performance.
“Modern In Motion has always been a wonderful way to bring dance directly to the community in an immersive way,” said Morgan. “Students will be performing the piece while surrounded by the beautiful views of our historic downtown and river. This section of the work will include tap, contemporary, and body percussion. Dancers are using rhythmic expression through their feet and hands to become a part of the music.”
Modern in Motion has been performed at several places around Natchitoches including the Cane River Brewery and the Northwest Louisiana History Museum and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Beau Jardin.
“Being a new addition to the dance faculty at NSU, I have been inspired by the dancers,” said Lomeka. “It is as if each is introducing themselves through their individual movement and grace. Also, I have been influenced by the natural beauty of Natchitoches and the sheer power of Mother Nature. Also present is an exploration and examination of death and rebirth.”
The cast is Emily Ricalde and Chelsie Stephenson of New Orleans, Erin Fallis of Pineville, Sara Grace Duplessis of Prairieville, Vilma Castro of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Alphonse Engram of DeRidder, Abigail Miller, Ashley Henry and Alexz Hattier of Slidell, and Mary Scott Pourciau, Sarah Talbot and Hannah Knoff of Baton Rouge.
The cast also includes John Jefferson of Shreveport, Adele Hebert of Lafayette, Jose Jose Arrieta of Cartagena, Colombia, Robert McCandlish of Monroe, Braxton Hogan and Kerrie Spillman of Natchitoches, Maci Burt of Mandeville, Carleigh Murphy of Meadville Pennsylvania, and D’Sherrick Williams of Marshall Texas.
