Dance concert set for the stage

Anastasia Loza

This weekend the Pierce College Dance Theatre brings us their annual spring recital, showcasing originality and a broad balance of different styles of dance.

“This show is exciting, challenging and colorful,” said Marian S. Weiser, the dance vice chair. “And that’s a good thing because it’s an all-inclusive style.”

The dance department’s show titled, “Live, Love, Live” will be presented at the Pierce Performing Arts Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

“Live, Love, Live” will feature almost every type of dance from ballet to hip-hop, modern dance to tap, jazz to improvisation and even dance drama and musical theater.

“Everything except folk dance, because we save that for the fall concert which features a little more diversity,” explained Weiser.

Each piece is original work choreographed by students, non-students and even professionals who auditioned their choreography.

“I choose the best and balance it,” said Weiser. There were eight choreographers who auditioned hip-hop pieces and Weiser only chose two, one for each act. She said that way, she could create a show with balance.

All dancers performing this weekend had to go through auditions just like the choreographers. Once they passed auditions, dancers had to enroll in a dance performance class and choreographers had to enroll in a style choreography Dance 452 class, if they were not already enrolled.

Also performing Saturday at 2 p.m. is the “Children’s Dance Theatre” which is supported by the dance department but comprised of kids from ages 3 to 13.

The music the children will be dancing to is “Carnival of the Animals” by Saint-Saens and “Seasons” by Hap Palmer. Each piece has minimal choreography and is mostly improvisation. Weiser said that she tries to give the children instructions, but mostly they just do “their own unique things.”

Tickets are on sale now through the theater box office by calling (818) 719-6488. “Live, Love, Live” ticket prices are $10 for center section seats and $8 for side section seats. Students and seniors can purchase tickets for $6 in the side section. The “Children’s Dance Theatre” performance tickets cost $6 for any seat.

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