BY Kali D’Agostinis
Staff Reporter
On Friday, Nov. 22, the Sacred Heart University Dance Program is presenting their fall productions. The three-day event will include performances from students in the Dance Company, Dance Ensemble, Hip Hop Production and the Irish Dance Ensemble.
Held in the Edgerton Center, the different dance shows are called “Midnight Cabaret,” “Imagine” and “Winter Moves.”
“Audiences can expect to see a diverse population of incredibly talented dancers performing in all dance genres, works choreographed by both student and professional choreographers,” said Kari Williams, the Director of the Dance Program, who has held the position since 2016.
Within that time period, the dance programs have earned national and international recognition for the various teams.
Over 300 dancers are in the program. They practice various styles of dance, which will be showcased throughout the weekend.
“Midnight Cabaret,” which will take place on Friday, Nov. 22 at 10:10 p.m., will include works by professional and student choreographers and feature performances from the Dance Company, Dance Ensemble and the Hip Hop Production.
“‘The Midnight Cabaret’ is an event that is strongly supported by the SHU student population. There is such a fun positive energy in the theater that night. Definitely not to be missed!” said Williams.
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, the Dance Company will showcase a professionally choreographed performance from all styles of dance in “Imagine.”
To conclude the three-day event, “Winter Moves” will feature performances from the Dance Ensemble, Hip Hop Production and the Irish Dance Ensemble on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2 P.M.
The Irish Dance Ensemble has a unique style of dance.
“We have an outstanding, award-winning Irish Dance Ensemble where half of the team are World Qualifiers, which means that they at some point have been considered in the top one percent of Irish dancers in the world,” said Williams.
Senior Gillian Kenney, a member of the Irish Dance Team, said, “The team has grown so much since my freshman year and it’s amazing to see how much talent each dancer brings to the team. The choreography this year is on a whole new level and the team hopes to keep the intensity and camaraderie going strong!”
On Nov. 16, the Irish Dance team traveled to Villanova University to compete in the Villanova Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival with Irish Dance teams from across America. They will be taking their performances to Dingle, Ireland, during the spring semester.
Junior Katrina Riggi, who has been a part of the Dance Ensemble since her freshman year, is performing in the “Midnight Cabaret.” “The shows are innovative and exciting,” she said. “Something you do not want to miss, because of all the creativity we are bringing to the table.”
The groups have been rehearsing for this production since August with practices all throughout the semester to train for the shows.
“Rehearsals are going great! We are definitely working really hard to make the dances as best as possible and producing intricate performances,” said Riggi.
Tickets to individual shows or all three days are currently available at the Edgerton Box Office or on the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts website. Tickets are $15 for the general public and free for SHU students who present their ID at the door.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the dedication, love and this entire community,” said Williams.
