Sarah Casagrande, Campus Carrier Entertainment Editor
Later this month, the Berry College Dance Troupe will perform their 19th annual spring concert at the Rome City Auditorium, a concert that they have been preparing for since October.
“Through The Ages,” which will run March 17-19, features 14 different performances and contains a lot of variety. The choreographers received only the title before auditions and were allowed to interpret the theme as they wished.
“Overall the show is really deep,” freshman Alexia Gonzalez said. “There are a lot of dark pieces and a lot of emotion is put into every number.”
For the choreographers, the concert is more than just an opportunity to be creative.It also affects their GPA. They are all part of a choreography class, and how the faculty judges evaluate their piece determines their final grade.
Performances are based on themes such as decades, country music and war. Jeanne Schul, lecturer in dance, created a swing piece titled “Strong Like Bull” for the concert. One dance, choreographed by senior Morgan Weigle, is based on the Salem Witch Trials.
“The choreography is really good,” sophomore Sydney Adams said. “[Weigle] did a good job piecing it together. The storyline is a really neat idea.”
Adams is in six of the 14 dances, including Weigle’s. When auditions were held in early October, the choreographers were allowed to watch and select the dancers they wanted for their piece.
“The dancers are allowed to set their own limits [on participation],” sophomore Gabriella Rivas, assistant company manager, said. “The choreographers have to adjust.”
The results for auditions were posted within a few days, and the 44 chosen dancers could accept or decline each choreographer’s offer to have them in their performance. Rivas said that most people who auditioned got to perform at least once.
“I was nervous,” Adams said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect since it was my first time auditioning for anything at Berry. But everyone was really nice.”
Gonzalez said that what she enjoys most about the dance troupe is how close the group is.
“The second I went to auditions, everyone was trying to get to know each other,” Gonzalez said.
Performances will take place on March 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. All shows are at the Rome City Auditorium. Tickets are currently on sale at the student activities desk in Krannert. Prices are $5 for students and $10 for adults.