The Collegian

Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Arts

The Hillsdale College Tower Dancers return Feb. 15 to 17 with a new twist on an old dance. Though typically a contemporary troupe, next week's performance will contain elements of classical ballet in a fusion previously unseen here on campus.

"We're definitely a modern dance-based company but we've had a lot of fresh talent in the last year or so who are versed in ballet and still interested in pursuing it," said Corrine Imberski, the troupe's leader and the director of the upcoming performance.

The performance, which premieres next Friday in Markel Auditorium at 8 p.m., is followed by a show Saturday also at 8 p.m. and a special matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

It is the fifth annual performance for the company and will feature six independent sequences, all contemporary but some containing reflective nods towards the practice of classical ballet.



"This is not a classical ballet but rather a contemporary one," Imberski said. "It uses classical technique with contemporary aesthetics."

Imberski defined the stated goal of the strictly non-linear performance as an attempt to inspire personal interpretation in every viewer.

One sequence is based entirely on the sculptures, cuttings, and portraits of noted French artist Henri Matisse.

Another is a recreation of 1955's "Rooms" by Anna Sokolov, an angst-ridden piece written in the wake of massive urbanization.

"One sequence is very wild, sun-dappled, calm and serene but also has this curiosity of nature to it," Imberski said.

"The Sokolov piece, meanwhile, deals with ideas of being in crowds of people in an urban environment but feeling alone - very much just isolation and city angst."

These conflicting emotions are backed by an equally complex soundtrack of classical Dvorak piano pieces, Brazilian percussion, jazz and contemporary string violins.

The performance also marks the debut of a sequence done entirely by Imberski's choreography class, whom were inspired by one of the show's songs.

"My housemate found a string quartet version of Muse's 'New Born' and I was inspired to bring it in for the performance and write the piece," senior troupe member Chris Stewart said.

"I had this image in my head of a playing card stuck flapping in a bicycle wheel and things just kind of went from there,"he said.

The unique dance sequence, which the Tower Dancers say is based on the idea of city transportation, was painstakingly crafted from this initial image of Stewart's.

It will be performed by not only its creator Chris Stewart, but also by seniors Jenny French and Mary Twist. Lauren Gribble, a sophomore, rounds out the piece.

The four choreographed a dance solo for each other in the sequence. Each remains optimistic that next week's show has something for everyone.

"There's a good balance of feelings in the pieces," Gribble said.
"I feel like the Tower Dancers have come a long way."


Hillsdale College Collegian 2008

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