NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present Modern in Motion XIII at Trinity Episcopal Church at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches on Sept. 16 and 18-21. The performance is at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16 and 18-20 and Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.
Tickets to the opening Gala performance on Sept. 16 are $50 and include a reception at the Natchitoches Picnic Company at 524 Front Street after the performance. The Gala is sponsored by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission. Tickets to the performances on Sept. 18-21 are $10 and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. For ticket information, contact Brett Alan Garfinkel at (318) 357-5793 or garfinkelb@nsula.edu.
Choreography is Garfinkel and fellow Theatre and Dance faculty Nhan Ho and Kirstin I. Riehl.
Trinity Episcopal Church has worshiped in its Gothic-Norman building on Second Street since 1857.
“We selected this setting not only for its architectural beauty, soaring stained-glass windows, a graceful bell tower and a peaceful courtyard, but also for the spirit it embodies,” said Riehl, the director of Dance at NSU. “The space invites everyone to connect, regardless of background or belief. Here, dance will transform the familiar into the extraordinary, reshaping how we perceive and feel movement in dialogue with space.” Riehl thanked Rev. Kristen Elizabeth Paul for allowing Modern in Motion to be performed at Trinity Episcopal.
The idea for site-specific events around Natchitoches for Modern in Motion began with Cage on the Cane at Beau Jardin which was coupled with a concert in Magale Recital Hall. Modern in Motion has also been performed at Riverside Reserve, The Sweet Cane Inn, The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, Cane River Brewing Company (now Flying Heart Brewing and Pub), the Fleur de Lis Stage at Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank, the Alumni Plaza on the campus of NSU and twice at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.
The cast for Modern in Motion is Avery Holmes of Monroe, Ariyonna Sarpy of Natchitoches, Arien Thibodeaux and Kwincy Pierre of Lafayette, Nicole Miller of Start, Vee Duran and Cara Thomason of Denham Springs, Darrick Jasmine of Lake Charles, Payton Desselles, Journey Willis and Jaeda Barrett of New Orleans, Makenzie Scroggs of Marksville, Cameron Bruno of River Ridge, Eliza Person of Jennings, Victoria Freeling of Covington, Allyce Richards of Leesville, Nyah Lynch of Grand Prairie, Liza White of Baton Rouge, Ellie Dufrene of Schriever and William Kielwasser of West Monroe.