'Fall for Dance' next week at the River Campus

The Conservatory of Theatre and Dance will host its seventh annual "Fall for Dance" next week.

Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Nov. 20 in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

"Fall for Dance is our annual fall dance concert, and every year is different," said Hilary Peterson, assistant professor and coordinator of dance at the River Campus. "It is a collection of dance pieces that range in mood, that are different in dance style, and they are each their own story."

The performance will consist of eight pieces. Four of the pieces are presented by faculty, one will be presented by a guest artist, and three will be presented by students.

Peterson said the dancers will welcome attendees into eight different worlds throughout the evening.

The dance pieces that will be performed are "The Spectacular Six," "Standing her Ground," "Burdened," "Suite from 'A Choreographic Offering,'" "Hendrix Dances," "Musically Encrypted," "Stranger Waltz" and "Ephemeris."

Shannon O'Keefe practices a move during rehearsal for the annual Fall for Dance concert Nov. 11, 2014, in Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus.Glenn Landberg

"'The Spectacular Six' is a superhero spoof that uses music from 'Captain America.' It's colorful and funny. You'll laugh and have fun," Peterson said.

Peterson said "Standing Her Ground," a solo piece, demonstrates how strong and flexible dancers must be.

"It's fairly similar to an athletic event. We've had football players that have come to the show, or people who watch football regularly, and they are always very amazed at how athletic the concert is," Peterson said. "'Hendrix Dances' [will include] three pieces of Jimi Hendrix's music. So, if you like Jimi Hendrix, and who doesn't, then you should go and see the dancers do amazing, contemporary dance to this fabulous music. It's kind of like a music concert."

The guest-artist piece, "Suite from 'A Choreographic Offering,'" is in memory of Doris Humphrey, a dancer and choreographer from the early 20th century. The performance will be based on her dances. It was first performed by the Jose Limon Dance Company on Aug. 15, 1964, at the American Dance Festival.

Dancers perform "De-Lirium," the first of six choreographed dances from the 2014 Fall for Dance program in Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus.Glenn Landberg

The student choreographers for this event are junior Ashley Stettes, senior Lauren Tustanowsky and senior Michael Curry. The faculty choreographers are Peterson and instructors of dance Philip Edgecombe and Ashley Alger.

"I think people should see it because they will be impressed and amazed by the talent the students have in dance. There is so much fun in the concert," Peterson said.

The performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Nov. 19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

Dancers practice for the Fall for Dance concert during rehearsal Nov. 11, 2014, in Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus.Glenn Landberg

Tickets may be purchased by visiting the River Campus box office at 518 S. Fountain St. between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, online at RiverCampusEvents.com or by calling (573) 651-2265.

Pertinent address:

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