Student dancers include Clarissa Pollack (front), Divya Raju (back left) and Mayra Casteneda.
The School of Arts and Humanities presents its 8th annual dance residency performance this week, featuring choreographers with expertise in Folklorico, Indian and African styles.
This diverse group of local artists will present their own professional pieces alongside new works that feature UT Dallas students.
Residency artists include Eduardo Gutierrez of the Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company, Alpana Jacob of Indique and Bridget Moore from Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
The performance, titled Crossing Borders, will run Thursday, Oct. 25, through Saturday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre.
Students appearing in the performance are enrolled in a senior-level dance performance course and started preparing for the show at the beginning of the semester.
Micki Saba teaches art and performance courses.
“These students work three hours a day, three days a week. We have to choreograph and prepare quickly. It’s an intense schedule,” said Micki Saba, who teaches art and performance courses at UT Dallas and is directing the residency.
Alpana Jacob, who choreographed an Indian dance piece with the students, said the process has been about group expression and communication rather than individual physical action. With a tight schedule, she said, students are forced to rely on each other.
“We have less time to learn, and you have to watch, and feel, and pay attention to the others around you. You want to be on time together,” Jacob said.
Claire Bruce is double majoring in neuroscience and art and performance.
Claire Bruce, a junior who is double majoring in neuroscience as well as art and performance, said that the dance residency is helping her on her career path.
“I want to be an occupational therapist and use dance therapy techniques with my patients. I’ve been involved with other dance productions at the University – the residency creates a fast and concentrated environment.”
Tickets for the show are $15 for general admission and $5 for faculty, staff and non-UT Dallas students. Tickets are free to UT Dallas students with valid identification. The ticket office is open 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and one hour before show time. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or by calling 972-883-2552.