Madonna may very well have have been proud of the Fairfield University Dance Ensemble Friday night because they knew how to express themselves.
The two-act pseudo recital at the Quick Center entitled “Vogue: Express Yourself” showcased dancers who incorporated various styles in their performances. The dances ranged from tap, ballet and jazz to lyrical, modern and hip hop.
The student-run show opened with dancers in black samurai costumes dancing to “Mortal Combat” from the Mortal Combat Soundtrack. This dance featured high kicks, air punches and leg lifts, thus reinforcing the karate theme. After “Mortal Combat,” the music changed genres constantly from Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” to “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz. According to Dance Ensemble Vice-President Alicia Haraksin ’06, musical variety was a great feature of the performance.
“Generally, we wanted music that the audience either recognized or would be intrigued to watch,” Haraksin said. “We had music from a variety of decades as well as from different cultures.”
Haraksin said that the music is chosen by each choreographer according to the type of class she teaches.
Aside from the group dances, two of which included the only male dancer Joe Zusi ’08, some ensemble members performed solos and duets. Though all were impressive, my two favorites were performed by Haraksin and Dance Ensemble President Meghan Daly ’06.
In “Touch It,” Haraksin transitioned from tap shoes to sneakers, from a tap dance to a hip hop piece, using personal choreography. Daly performed a modern piece to “Episodes of Fear,” which emphasized the intensity and terror in a nightmare. Both women displayed great dancing creativity and flair.
Two other highlights were the male breakdancers, who received constant audience “ooo’s” and “ahh’s,” and Zusi’s glow stick dedication to Alejandro Carrion ’08, who passed away this February.
Haraksin said she was proud of the show’s overall success, as the Quick Center was nearly filled with many students, family and friends of the dancers in attendance.
“I am incredibly proud of and honored to have been teacher of everyone in the show,” she said. “Each class performed to the best of its ability and it showed in their enthusiasm and presentation of the dances.”
Celeste Pennacchio ’08, a member of the dance ensemble, felt the same way.
“I was happy with the turnout because we worked so hard,” she said. “It was nice to see that people care and want to see what we’re about.”
Students who attended the performance, such as Robert Williams ’08 were pleased.
“It seemed like they practiced hard and it was reflected in their performance,” Williams said.
Caitlin Lettera ’08 also felt the show was impressive.
“The dancers were amazing, and everything was very well put together and choreographed,” she said.
Haraksin said the performance was a success.
“Because we are all so close, the issue of being student run is not a problem. We understand when a teacher needs to buckle down and yell and scream and therefore we don’t take anything personally,” she said. “Next year, I am going to miss all the girls so much.”
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