Perhaps one of the best things about life here at U.Va is the tremendous amount of student talent that constantly is being showcased. For instance, I had the privilege of sitting in on Monday's dress rehearsal of "Body Language," the Virginia Dance Company's newest show.
If the final product follows the grand tradition of other artistic performances, it will be even more polished for Sunday's show at 8 p.m. in Old Cabell. "Body Language" is a production that will leave you breathless.
The Virginia Dance Company has been in operation for 24 years and is the oldest dance company on Grounds. Considering U.Va. does not offer dance as either a major or a minor, the student-run company provides an excellent outlet for student dancers, with students also doing all of the choreographing.
"Body Language" is an all-female production (because no men tried out this year) that provides a delightful blend of lyrical, modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop styles. The show opens with a fast and strong dance sequence to Janet Jackson's "Trust a Try." College student Lindsay Smith, choreographer of the first act, created a high-energy number in which 12 dancers' smooth and precise movements create a classy blend of modern day attitude with traditional dance movements.
The dancers have been rehearsing since September, creating a level of cohesiveness between the dancers that is essential in pulling off a successful dance recital. "Body Language" is so powerful because it's obvious how much each dancer feeds off the others. Since all of the women have formal training in different genres, some are stronger in certain areas than others. Thus, there is a constant flow of energy between each dancer, with each contributing her own personal flair.
Every act is intriguing, because each dancer demands individual attention but still functions as a part of the whole. For instance, in scene two of the second act, which is appropriately titled "Wink," five girls deliver fun, airy and gymnastic movements that are great interpretations of the music, Blink 182's "All the Small Things." Though each girl is a focal point, their interactions as a group are what involve the audience.
Second-year college student Nicole Kleet, who choreographed "Wink," exemplifies the amount of diversity in the show. She also choreographed "Feet Bleeding," scene five of the first act, which is set to Bruce Springstein's "Streets of Philadelphia." In this section of the show, nine women in feathery blue tops and pantyhose deliver quick precise movements that express a serious topic -- AIDS.
Kleet said, "I tried to make us perform as a unit, but at the same time each dancer gets a solo which shows what each person has to go through with their struggle with AIDS. They return to the unit because they have someone to lean on."
"Body Language" does a great job of intermingling different themes, dance genres, emotions, music and clothing styles. The costumes, as well as the music, convey the emotions and message of each act. The music ranges from O.D.B.'s "Got Your Money" to "Both Hands" by Ani DeFranco to Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation."
The only point where the show lags is Scene Six of Act One. The restrictive schoolgirl-meets-executive costumes are distracting to not only the audience, but the dancers themselves. The connection between dancers isn't as strong in this scene because each dancer is struggling to manipulate her outfit.
One of the most impressive sections of the performance was "The Waves of Motion," scene two of act one. Choreographed by fourth-year College student Afiya Jones, this scene features seven dancers in fluid white skirts and is set to Incubus' "Just a Phase." Each dancer deviates from the others and starts a sequence. Emotions are emitted through each movement, with each dancer centralized but at the same time very connected to the whole. Crazed, exact seizure-like movements build to a passionate fury.
On a whole, "Body Language" is a very moving and entertaining production. Its members have a bond that is evident in their every movement, and the show displays the diversity of the members' dance style
Second-year College student Maya Dewan put it best when she said, "They should come out to support the arts as much as they support sports, because it's just as, if not more, entertaining."
Tickets are $5 and are currently being sold on the Lawn. Tickets also will be sold at the door.
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
