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UI Dancers in Company use dance as 'civic service' to bring water issues to the public eye
Feb. 21, 2016 10:00 am
IOWA CITY — For the first time since its inception 32 years ago, the University of Iowa's touring dance company, Dancers in Company (DIC), will premiere its first 'themed' show in the Space Place Theater in Iowa City on Feb. 25.
'We've been wanting as a program for years to increase our community engagement,' said Michael Sakamoto, UI Dance professor and DIC co-director.
And with water issues like safety, scarcity and sustainably plaguing the globe, nation and even close to home, it seems only fitting to start with the theme of water.
UI Dance junior and DIC dancer Justin Gorgone said it's a 'universal issue' that 'everyone can relate to,' regardless of whether or not they enjoy dance.
'Dance is such an interesting medium to portray these topics, because it's something that you wouldn't expect,' he added. 'It's an engaging new way to be able to bring awareness to the public.'
To prepare for the upcoming concert, UI Dance students and faculty met with water experts around the state to learn more about the issues affecting Iowa. They saw first-hand how dirty our water is and how it's treated, including a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial issues surrounding the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit against three northwest Iowa counties for nitrate pollution in the state's rivers — particularly the Raccoon — that's made cleaning the water complicated and expensive.
The dancers will perform six pieces choreographed by faculty and guest choreographers that touch on these issues, whether directly or metaphorically.
'We told each choreographer that they're free to create any piece riffing on the theme, whether it be artistically, visually, politically, culturally, historically or economically,' Sakamoto said.
Sakamoto's piece, 'Come rain or come shine,' for example, uses water and fluidity as a metaphor for an 'emotional narrative' that shows 'how you flow through life,' he said.
Four dancers, including Gorgone, will perform solos that reflect a 'personal experience' that 'visually, emotionally or metaphorically relates to water,' he added.
Each dancer's character shows an 'ebb and flow' in their personality, said Juliana Feracota, a sophomore dancer. For example, her character explores the balance between being a 'cute girly girl' and aggressive and angry, she said.
Dot Armstrong, a junior dancer, does a solo set to video of Syrian refugees being rescued from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea. Her character portrays helplessness, something she said she sometimes feels when trying to be an activist in her own life.
'I've never been in a piece quite like this,' Gorgone said of Sakamoto's choreography, describing it more as 'performance art' than dance. 'It's a lot of stillness and spatial and spoken acting on stage.'
Sakamoto said he wants his piece to be 'authentic' and 'truthful' for the performers on stage so that the audience can 'feel the authenticity,' thereby 'nurturing a discussion and awareness' for these issues.
After all, he reiterated, the idea of adding a theme was to provide a platform for dance students to use their art as a social, civic service, Sokomoto explained. The hope is to engage the community and to prompt personal reflection, discussion and action toward bettering these issues.
Dance is a unique way to not only get the audience thinking, but also developing feelings toward the issue being portrayed.
'It hits a different register in your consciousness,' Armstrong said.
After ending their statewide tour with a water symposium on April 29, Sakamoto hopes they'll have brought their message 'in an entertaining, moving and transformational way' to communities around the state, ideally helping to 'heighten our understanding and motivation to participate in improving water quality in Iowa.'
Showtime
What: Dancers in Company presents their home concert, Water Works
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Where: Space Place Theater, 101 North Hall, Iowa City
Details: Six dance pieces reflect on local, national and global water issues.
Cost: $12 for adults, $6 for seniors, college students and youth (17 and younger), $5 for UI students with valid ID; for tickets, contact the Hancher Box Office at (319) 335-1160 or (800) HANCHER, or go online at www.hancher.uiowa.edu