“Scripps Dances,” the annual spring concert of the Scripps College Dance Department, will take place on Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, at 8:00 p.m. in the Mudd Theatre at the Claremont School of Theology. The program features original danceworks by students and faculty, including Collateral Damage, choreographed by guest artist and activist Suchi Branfman, and Chronic, choreographed by Maria Gillespie of Helios Dance Theater. Tickets will be sold at the door: $7.00 for general admission, $5.00 for seniors and Claremont Colleges students, faculty, and staff. Claremont School of Theology students and faculty will be admitted free with identification. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. For general concert information, or information about handicap access to the theatre, call (909) 607-2934.
Combining an eclectic mix of dance forms, including modern, ethnic, and jazz dance, with rhythms and music ranging from lyrical Irish tunes to classical guitar, “Scripps Dances” is one of the highlights of the dance department’s spring calendar, providing an opportunity for students, faculty, and guest artists to debut original choreography and performance work.
Ronnie Brosterman, Scripps dance faculty, has chosen to restage Celtic Nocturnes with original music composed by pianist Scott Hiltzik. This suite of dances choreographed in a modern/balletic style was inspired by the music of the 18th-century Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan.
Maria Gillespie, dancer with Helios Dance Theater, has reworked her piece Chronic for four student dancers to be performed to guitar music by composer Max Duncan.
Suchi Branfman, artist, activist and part-time Scripps dance faculty, has reconstructed the dance Collateral Damage. First commissioned in 1991 by City University of New York, Collateral Damage centers on interviews done in a New Jersey body bag factory at the onset of the Gulf War. With a sound score by acclaimed NPR and CNN radio journalist Maria Hinojosa, the dance reflects on women as warriors and peacemakers.
In addition, this event will feature works by student choreographers and performers Erica Carroll, Ann DeHerder, Miana Hoyt, and Nicole Clarke, all from Scripps, and Dena Bodzin from Harvey Mudd College.