NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Department of Theatre and Dance will present its annual Senior Dance Concert on Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.
Senior choreographers who will present their original works in the concert are Ariyonna Sarpy, Nyah Lynch, Jaeda Barrett, Journey Wills, Vee Duran, Makenzie Scroggs, Nicole Miller and Cameron Bruno.
Sarpy’s piece is titled “Becoming Her” and features eight dancers who Sarpy says represents significant relationships in her life. According to Sarpy, the work blends improvisational movement with raw emotion to create a sense of realism and connection. Inspired by music that mirrors the rhythm of a heartbeat, “Becoming Her” captures the beauty of growth through adversity, showing that sometimes falling apart is what ultimately allows you to become whole.
“’Becoming Her’ reflects my college journey one filled with excitement, heartbreak, growth and self-discovery,” said Sarpy. “What began as a search for perfection evolved into a deeper understanding of authenticity and self-acceptance. This piece explores the transformation between who I once was and who I am becoming.”
The dancers for “Becoming Her” will be Allyce Richards, Darrick Jasmine, Diana Mercado, Ellie Dufrene, Kimberly Cain, Trinity Patrick, Tuw~Tuw Clay and Victoria Freeling.
Lynch’s work is “Won’t Stop for Death.” The dancers are Clay, Kennedy Fiscus, Darrick Jasmine, Trinity Patrick, Liza White
“This piece is about how we grieve people we have lost.” said Lynch. “Through every emotion comes something different.”
Barrett’s piece is “An Overture of Emotion,” and will feature dancers Dufrene, Fiscus, Kwincy Pierre, Ava Schorr and Cara Thomason
“The piece is an exploration of my own journey from a state of numbness flowing into the expressive, overbearing and free-spirited overture that is human emotion,” said Barrett.
“Joy, fear, anger and sadness begin to emerge. As overbearing as these emotions can feel for any one of us, it’s important that you allow them to pass through you, observe them, and accept them. Your only objective with them is to feel.”
Wills’ piece is called “Growing Pains” and will feature Jasmine and Pierre.
“Growing Pains is a piece that celebrates Black artistry and Black bodies while also tying in the constant struggle that Black people have faced throughout time,” said Wills.
Duran’s work is titled “The Path” and will feature Payton Desselles, Freeling, Dylan Freeman, Susana Polo, Richards, Schorr and Thomason.
‘“The Path’ explores how relationships and external factors can completely alter the course of your life,” said Duran. “Sometimes it’s unclear where you are being led, and you get thrown off the path and lose sight of it. With time, the path will reveal itself. I hope that you find yourself in moments during ‘“The Path.”’
Scroggs’ piece is “Ideal Perspective” and will feature Dufrene, Freeman and Pierre.
“Perfectionism is the belief that one must be flawless,” said Scroggs. “It is easy to become hyper-fixated on avoiding failure and constantly looking for approval in others. ‘Ideal Perspective’ explores both positive and negative traits of perfectionism and the internal and external struggles of feeling the need to always be perfect.”
Miller’s work is “Stay Here for Awhile” and features Freeling, Avery Holmes, Thomason and White.
“This piece explores my own personal struggles with religion and how through new opportunities we can rediscover our faith in the Lord,” said Miller.
Bruno’s piece is “From Rubble, We Rise” and features Desselles, Fiscus, Holmes, Richards, Arien Thibodeaux and White
“This piece is about the victims of 9/11 who were identified as missing for approximately two years after the attacks,” said Bruno. “There is one soloist who is representing the mourning of the families. I also have an ensemble representing the victims.”