Students show off their skills with Dance Collage 2016.
Concluding the spring semester, Montclair State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will be bringing their annual Dance Collage 2016 to the stage. The performances will be at Montclair’s very own Alexander Kasser Theatre, a beautiful and very affordable venue. Opening night is scheduled to take place on April 27, with shows running until May 1. Dance Collage will feature Montclair’s dance majors as they debut their choreographic talents. The students in the production are under the direction of Maxine Steinman and Kathleen Kelley, two of MSU’s dedicated faculty members.
Co-director Maxine Steinman is in her 13th year as a professor and choreographer at Montclair State University. Her talent and dedication shines through the work of her students as they continue to succeed in the dance world. Steinman has created works for various universities and dance festivals worldwide. She holds degrees in dance and education from Adelphi University and Teachers College Columbia University. This makes her an expert in both performing and creating.
“Although my choreography has a base in the José Limón style and is primarily focused on communication and expressiveness, my interest lies in finding ways to present choreography that challenges the realm of visual and aural senses, accentuating the human body in its sensuality and form, while engaging physical dialogues between people, music, sets, costume,” said Steinman on her personal website in her artist statement.
Kathleen Kelley, who is co-directing alongside Steinman, also comes with a wealth of experience, as she is the 2015-2016 LIMAY Fellowship at CAVE Arts. Kelley is a dancer, choreographer and dance filmmaker. When she is not working out in the professional world as a performer, she is an assistant professor of dance and technology at Montclair State University. Her passion and creative eye passed on shared with her students and shown in their incredible work.
The Department of Theatre and Dance holds various dance concerts each semester, however Dance Collage is unique from all the others. Aside from debuting as choreographers, students will be performing each other’s work. The department greatly prepares dance majors for what the performance world will be like after they graduate.
Dance majors have been working all semester long to debut their choreography. Do not miss out of one of the performances of Dance Collage 2016! Shows run April 27, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., April 30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and May 1 at 2 p.m. The Alexander Kasser Theatre is located right on Montclair State University’s campus at 1 Normal Ave. Please visit peakperfs.org for more information about upcoming shows. Tickets are available online or at the door from the box office. All seats are $15 or free to MSU undergraduate students with an ID.
Visit montclair.edu/arts/theatre-and-dance/ for more information about majors in the department and faculty.
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