Collage of styles packed into hour of dance

They promised variety, and variety they delivered.

Southeast Missouri State University's dance concert can probably be best described as schizophrenic, changing personalities quickly and without warning.

Take the first two numbers as an example -- "Monkey Dance" and "Reaching Out." The former is a merry, energetic ballet using "Graduation Ball" by Johann Strauss for music, and the latter is an introspective, sometimes brooding, yet ultimately triumphant modern dance.

Thrown in after those two are dances from modern to ballet to hip hop to tap to jazz to traditional Scottish.

The quick transitions from style to style seem striking at first, but as the concert goes on the changes becoming refreshing. The end effect is a collage of musical and dance styles packed into an hour.

"Monkey Dance" serves as a nice warm-up with some skillful dancing. But when the show gets to "Reaching Out" is when it really becomes intriguing. Somehow the light, music and movement on-stage come together in something close to a full sensory experience.

"Reaching Out" takes an almost narrative quality, with movements that tell of a personal struggle with setbacks and victories, a story of transition. Senior Leslie Samples truly shines on this piece as both a choreographer and as a dancer. Her dancing goes on to shine in other pieces as well, such as a contemporary ballet choreographed by Gil McNaughton called "Leslie's Romance."

Set to the music of Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do," the ballet is another piece that tells a story, this one of love lost and found again. This piece is sappy, especially the song, but the beautiful dancing featuring Samples more than redeems the number.

The somber styles of "Reaching Out" and "Everything I Do" are far removed from the more unconventional works choreographed by faculty member Hilary Peterson, "Wash with Like Colors" and "The Wink of an Eye." "Wash with Like Colors" is both humorous and experimental, with spasmodic movements and gyrations set to an intense, sometimes harsh techno beat.

Larry Lozier plays the part of a red article of clothing thrown in with a bunch of whites, creating an interaction that is both light-hearted and novel.

"The Wink of an Eye" uses the talents of the Southeast Sundancers set against the dark wails and back-alley howls of the great Tom Waits. Waits' style in contrasted by Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" placed at the beginning and the end. With dress and stage accented in black, the Sundancers do a sinister slink across the mirage of a dark urban landscape.

Senior Heather Connell brings another element of popular culture into the mix with her choreography on "Beats for Two." This intense hip-hop duet stars Connell and senior Stephen Fister and shows just how skillful and entertaining hip-hop dance can be, especially when set to the music of a skilled hip-hop dancer and performer like Missy Elliot.

And for those who love jazz, Dr. Marc Strauss' "For Freddie and Bennie," set to the music of Manhattan Transfer, delivers an intricate and playful dose of America's original music.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Want to go?

* What: Southeast Missouri State University Fall Dance Concert

* When: 8 p.m., Nov. 11, 12, 18, 19

* Where: Rose Theatre

* Info: 651-2265