By JESSICA NEU
I had the pleasure of attending the opening night performance of Faculty Choreolab, presented by the Conservatory Dance Company of the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University. Running February 14th through 18th, Faculty Choreolab highlights the brilliance, ingenuity, and passion of both Point Park Conservatory’s choreographers and dancers.
My children, ages 6 and 8, participate in competitive dance. They take multiple weekly classes and compete in a half dozen or so competitions throughout the year. Lessons from their teachers and feedback from the judges are always the same: “straight legs, point your toes, stretch your arms through your fingers, fix your turnout.” As I watched each of the seven numbers in the show, I could not help but notice how, regardless of the style of dance or the number of dancers on stage, these fundamentals of dance are blatantly pivotal regardless of a dancer’s age or skill level. The dancers’ flawless technique, perfect turnout in each ballet position, range of motion in their hips, lines created by the ideal placement of their arms and legs, and impeccable attention to detail made Faculty Choreolab great. There were no flashy costumes or large props. Those would have detracted from each performance’s rawness, authenticity, and vulnerability. Each number comprised poised dancers whose grace, pristine technique, bodily control, patience, and musicality combined to create a memorable moment.
Different faculty members choreographed all seven numbers, and each piece was stylistically different from the next. Numbers such as “Moonlight” (Daniel Karasik) featured classically trained pointe dancers, whereas “Impermanence” (Robert McKee) and “The Grand Cross” (Jason McDole) featured elements of contemporary dance, acro, contortion, and lyrical elements.
The ebb and flow of the tempo of each number, with dancers transitioning between formations, highlights the musicality and professionalism of each performer. The choreographers and dancers are experts in knowing which moments should be met with stillness and which with intensity.
The final number, “Ya Gotta Be Ready” (KiKi Lucas), pays homage to the late Chita Rivera. Punctuated with video clips from Rivera’s life projected onto the backdrop, principal dancer Hailey Kasky represents Rivera as the cast weaves through notable moments in her career, including her prominent roles in the musicals West Side Story and Chicago. Kasky also shares her gift of singing with the audience as she performs portions of Rivera’s remarkable life.
“Cry Me” (Jae Man Joo) is quietly embedded in the middle of the show. This number, described as a ballet, has only five dancers but powerfully emotes the pain, struggle, exhaustion, chaos, and exuberance in life that can make us cry. Each duo in the number trusts each other on a physiological and cognitive level that turns motion into art. The flexibility, power, and strength of each dancer (Alyssa Alford, Amber Morgan, John Drazen Wilmers, Jayden Williams, and Bronson Dahmer) highlight the fact that in dance, there are thousands of ways to execute choreography incorrectly and one way to execute it correctly. Their pristine execution of each movement is nothing short of masterful.
One of my favorite aspects of attending a performance at Point Park is the audience’s enthusiasm for each routine. Attending a dance show at Point Park is a necessary reminder of the power and importance of showing up for and supporting your peers. The energy from the crowd to the audience and vice versa is palpable as boisterous cheers commence after each performance. The performer-crowd relationship is this beautiful exchange of love. The audience shows their love for the performers, and the dancers’ performances exude their passion for their craft.
After the number “Container” (Julia Erickson), a patron behind me remarked, “I feel grounded after watching that. I didn’t realize I needed that in my life.” Faculty Choreolab is, in fact, a gift that you may not realize you need in your life, but it will certainly invigorate your senses and elevate your emotions.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Faculty Choreolab presented by Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse
Conservatory Dance Company has performances February 14 – 18, 2024 at the George Roland White Performance Studio. Tickets at https://playhouse.culturaldistrict.org/production/88074/faculty-choreolab
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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