Annual Spring into Dance returns next week with sports-themed dance

Ever hear a sports commentator give a play-by-play of a ballet?

That’s what’s in store for those who attend the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Dance’s annual Spring into Dance, to be held Thursday through April 17.

DanceSport is one of nine pieces included in the two-act performance, which will take place at Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus.

“It is energetic, exciting and funny,” said Hilary Peterson, assistant professor of dance. “It’s a piece that blends athletics and dance. The entire dance is made up of elements you would see in a sporting event.”

These elements include referee-dancers, who call fouls and assess penalties, and even a slow-motion bit.

Dancers perform "You're Only Worth the Size of Your Rock," choreographed by Danielle Albertina, during "Spring Into Dance 2011."Southeast Missourian file photo

“There’s a flag that comes out at one point,” Peterson said.

The slow-motion element involves the dancers performing in realtime first, then slowing down their movements so they appear to be in slow motion.

The two commentators aren’t dance students. They are actual sports commentators from Chicago who agreed to help with the dance piece.

“The two commentators are hysterical,” said Peterson, who also is coordinator of dance at the university. “They put in funny back stories of the dancers.”

The DanceSport piece was choreographed by guest artist Harrison McEldowney of Chicago.

“While most pieces are open to interpretation by the audience, for DanceSport, there is very little doubt about the meaning. It has a straightforward message. Their costumes even favor sports uniforms,” Peterson said, describing the jersey-style tank tops and basketball short-type bottoms.

She said people in the dance department thought centering one of the pieces around sports might draw in a group of people who normally don’t come to the ballet.

“We know that in Cape Girardeau, there is a really great love of sports,” Peterson said.

A jazz dance choreographed by Peterson opens the first act, which is followed by a dance called “Fallen Angels,” choreographed by senior Martique Hopkins. It is a modern dance that features four dancers.

The third piece is a classical ballet trio, and the fourth is a male-female duet.

The 8 1/2-minute DanceSport piece winds up the first act before the intermission.

Peterson said the lights come up between each piece during the performance to signify the change in pieces and to give the audience a chance to glance at their programs to see what’s coming up next.

“They have a chance to absorb what they just saw and be prepared to see something new,” she said.

The second act opens with a performance by all senior dance majors, which was choreographed by a husband and wife team, also from Chicago.

“You can really sense a collective energy from them,” Peterson said of the senior students, “because they’ve been dancing together for four years. You see the level of technique rise.”

The third performance is a solo performed by Jordan McDaniel, who also is a senior.

“He can jump five feet in the air,” Peterson said.

A piece that uses paper for a prop comes next.

“It’s interesting how they manipulate this prop,” she said.

The final piece, “Lionhearted,” is performed by 13 dancers.

Planning for the show began in November, she said, although the guest artist was chosen a year in advance.

“We try to choose pieces and artists that will challenge our students and delight our audience,” Peterson said.

About 50 students auditioned for parts in the show, and 28 made the cut.

The shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and April 15 and 16. The April 17 matinee begins at 2 p.m.

The cost of general-admission tickets is $18 for those 13 and older and $10 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the door. The box office opens an hour before each performance.

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.