The usual stereotypes came into mind: the fancy dress, the unintelligible lyrics, the opera glasses, the stifling formality and pretension, and the deep, unmitigated boredom of the proceedings. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the intimacy of UNT Opera’s interpretation of La Traviata. The acoustics in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, for instance, were great. Immediately, I could sense a strong sense of reverence towards the proceedings, as the audience were clearly familiar with the work and the composer. Although a lot of the audience leaned towards the older side, there was a fair amount of young, hip people at the show.…
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, now located on West 55th Street and 9th Avenue in New York City, traces its roots to a choreographer who interwove modern dance, jazz, and African rhythms in creations such as Revelations. A spectacular work that audiences have been worshiping for almost fifty…
The new IATI rapidly became something different. Our mission and artistic vision are clearer and stronger because of the overcome challenges. We still have the urge to do performing arts and excel in our works; to bring, share and enjoy this work with other people in other communities. We count with talented and dedicated…
Alvin Ailey was the choreographer of the masterpiece Revelations. His inspiration to create this performance was from his ‘blood memories’ of his childhood. Alvin Ailey grew up in a small town in Texas where racism was a big issue. As Ailey was African American, he grew up in a time of racial segregation, violence and lynching’s against African Americans. Early experiences in the Southern Baptist church instilled in him a fierce sense of black pride that would later figure prominently in Ailey's signature works.…
My mother first introduced me to the idea of Wagner, raving about its theatre program, arguing I was a perfect fit. Growing up less than an hour from Boston, I slightly tasted city life throughout my childhood; yet always wanted to be a part of something bigger than a middle class town. Wagner’s location blends NYC life with my hometown environment, appealing to both sides of my personality. Further influenced my by mother’s review, I began researching Wagner’s website, where I discovered the Port Richmond Partnership. I grew up doing community service with my father at soccer fields on Saturday mornings, and I strive to combine volunteering with theatre.…
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting the exhibit Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes, 1909-1929: When Art Danced with Music at the National Gallery of Art. But this was not my first experience with this exhibit, no for I had the opportunity to perform in honor of this exhibit this past summer where I performed right outside the entrance the to the showcase. I performed the roles of the Faun in Vaslav Nijinsky’s Afternoon of a Faun, and Prince Ivan in The Firebird.…
Katherine Dunham Katherine Mary Dunham (June 22, 1909- May 21, 2006) was an American dancer, choreographer, author, educator, and social activist. Dunham had one of the most successful dance careers in American and European theater and directed her own dance company for many years. She has been called the "matriarch and queen mother of black dance." Youth; Katherine was born on June 22, 1909. Her father, Albert Millard Dunham, was a descendant of slaves.…
On April 28, 2016 the Redfield Proscenium Theatre is full of excitement from energized parents, peers, professors, and choreographers, as everyone patiently waits for the Spring Dance Concert to start. The lights are finally dimmed and the applause stops as soon as the stage lights turn on. The concert starts off with “Space Taken” by Katie Dahlaw which explores gender stereotypes and ends with a piece by Kathleen Hermesdorf titled “Fern” that starts off with dancers surrounded around a Fern. The overall concert left the lady sitting next to me in awe as she asked me for a tissue to wipe the tears falling from her tear ducks. I did not have any expectations as I entered the show because I did not want to be disappointed.…
Response #1: The Makishi Masquerade is an example of performance and popular entertainment because of the preparation and approval the event obtains from the community/ village audiences. The performances favorable and approval attibutes to its popularity and entertainment value as it is a celebration which causes pleasure to its surrounding viewers. The Makishi Masquerade is a prepared highly influenced ritual performance with the amusement factors through costuming, dancing, and chanting. A)…
Morales provides contrasting ideas between “the disrespect the Hispanic community had towards the Theater” which expresses the opinion the people in the community have about the Mexican people and “the architectural dignity of the Center” which expresses the decadence of the Theater. These contrasting phrases show how the community members feel the Mexicans are unfit to be in such a place. The notion that “they should not have attended” on the opinion that they were only there “to see one performing actress” creates a sense of exclusivity and…
Chicano/as are still dealing with the overwhelming process of “Americanization” and teaching into “American way of life ” (Marisol L., 355). Until this day, Chicano/as realities are coping with racial and class oppression shown in many Chicano/as songs. Identity crisis is still present where Chicano/as youth are still trying to live double lives as a Mexican and an American. The music that developed because of pachuco and Mexican-American youth culture still exists 50 years later. Chicano/as musicians are not only representing the people but are expressing the true essence of survival and…
Being an Eritrean American has always been something Ia??m proud of. In an effort to better connect myself with my heritage, I began to take Eritrean cultural dance lessons in order to be part of the Eritrean festival dance performance. I have always wanted to excell in everything that I do, especially if it meant a lot to me. I did not expect that these dance lessons would provide me with the lesson of handling failure and criticism.…
An American Musical, is valid and should be applied to difficult situations. This is where motivational speeches like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s come in. Speeches like these are the places where people find inspiration, strength, and purpose. When Lin-Manuel Miranda speaks at the University of Pennsylvania in May of 2016, he shows the new class of 2016 that life is an open field of opportunity. He comforts their worries with particularly relatable…
On December 2nd, 2016 at the Constance theatre the dance department presented a show called Agbedidi. The show, directed and choreographed by Mohamed DaCosta and Trent D. Williams, Jr., displayed a combination of Traditional African and Contemporary Dance. The house buzzed with excitement as the start of the show approached. It is quite encouraged to see such a large audience at an event, but this audience also brought a positive, vibrant atmosphere for the dancers to soak up. I was curious to see what this year’s performance would look like.…
Arts Management Personal Statement Arts management as a degree choice at University was something that I feel naturally inclined to do; I have always been organisational with a keen eye for details. From arranging small outings within my group of friends to helping out with the running of a big event at school, I am constantly trying to find outlets for my enthusiasm. The arts have always had a high importance in my life, especially within the last few years. In 2007 I was a chorus member in a school production of ‘Fame’, where I learnt several dance routines, songs and knowledge about the general production and running of a musical.…