The dance department showcased student choreography and talent with another virtual Fall Dance concert from Dec. 2 through Dec. 5, this year with an in-person screening on Dec. 1. Students performed as both dancers and choreographers in the months-long process of creating various pieces. 

The dancers, choreographers, and directors had many adjustments to make and elements to consider in order to compose this show. Filming and editing the video footage for their pieces played a large role when producing the concert. 

“It was my first time creating a film as a choreographer, but also filming as a performer. As a choreographer, I had to consider aspects I wouldn’t have had to, if it had been a live show on stage. In a film, I have to think about what scenes or movements I want the audience to see… On a live stage, the audience can look at the piece as a whole and choose what they want to watch, which dancer to focus on etc.,” said dancer and choreographer Jasmyn Haralson, a third-year Theatre Arts major with a concentration in Dance. 

Dancer Jordan Murayama, a fourth-year Hutchin’s Liberal Studies major and a Dance minor at SSU also experienced differences in preparation with this virtual video format, writing in an email, “Over the course of the semester, I have spent many hours figuring out how to tell my story, reworking my story, filming, editing, and cutting it all down to make a somewhat cohesive dance film.”

This year students were able to rehearse in person, which had a huge impact on both the dancers and choreographers. 

“Dancing online was really hard… I feel that I can do more in person, and I can really feel everyone’s energy and feed off of that,” wrote Murayama in an email. “Dance is a kinesthetic art that is meant to be performed with others.” 

Dancer and choreographer Terra Bransfield, a fourth-year double major in Psychology and Dance, also had thoughts on moving towards in-person collaboration during COVID-19, writing in an email, “I think navigating the pandemic in and of itself has been a process, but adding on creating a performance piece… It has also been interesting creating a piece and being sure to follow Covid-protocols.”

SSU students that attended the in-person screening felt the positive effects of finally being able to connect in person, “I really, really enjoyed it. I’m so glad that they were able to create something that was somewhat close to normal… I felt like I was so much closer to the art because I got to watch it with the performers and the creators,” said Christine Flagman, third-year SSU student. 

The concert created a sense of community among students in the major and performers in the concert. 

“My favorite part of Fall Dance was getting to dance in person again and make so many fun new memories. The dance program here has a great community that makes you feel welcomed,” wrote Jennifer Martuscelli, a second-year Dance major, in an email.

To stay updated on future Dance events through Seawolf Living, or visit the Dance department’s page on the SSU website. 

Adrienne Moon contributed to this this story.