Dance story

"Dancing with the Stars" recently aired an episode with its competitors walking like Egyptians and posing for paparazzi a la Lady Gaga to tell stories.

But you shouldn't need producers to mandate that choreography tell a story. Every dance -- any good dance -- tells a story.

The Theatre and Dance Department at Southeast Missouri State University has an hour and a half devoted to dances that tell a story -- from a primal piece called "Instinct" by senior Natalie Roberts to a playful six-person dance by Marc Strauss called "Just Enough Time."

Sophomore Jeanine Holtgrave choreographed and performed as the sole dancer in "Objectify." Her dance, set to silence, uses lighting and the sound of body parts hitting each other and the stage to tell her story. It's as powerful as any instrumental soundtrack.

They may not have millions of Americans watching their skills onstage, but Southeast's dancers have depth and creativity and more passion for the stage than any celeb in the televised competition.

Many dance concerts leap from modern to ballet to jazz like Southeast Missouri spring weather jumps from sun to rain and hot to cold.

This concert, though, errs mostly on the side of interpretive, hip hop and modern. It leaves the story to be deciphered by the viewer.

If a Monet or Renoir painting could dance, it would dance in this show.

The colorful, interpretive, hip-hop pieces might reflect the median age of the choreographers, most of whom are students in the department. Then again, the bright, funky costumes might just reflect the need for a societal pick-me-up.

It's up to the audience's interpretation.