Senior dancers share talents on campus
By Caroline Vaughan
Katie and Becky Bignell have danced together for nearly 15 years. These identical twins, along with fellow seniors Misha Patel and Jacob Mirelez, will produce their own dance recitals as a part of the Spring Dance Festival.
The show will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Fess Parker Studio Theatre.
Both twins, garbed in black dance pants and neon leg warmers (Katie's pink and Becky's green), with Patel and Mirelez are most likely to be found at rehearsal. The four seniors have spent 12 hours a week in rehearsals since January, simultaneously choreographing and dancing in their own shows (in the twins' case, their show as well as their sister's).
But in the week before the show, everything is getting much more intense. "Every free moment I have is put towards thinking 'What could I be doing now for my recital?'" Becky said.
This senior project is a rare opportunity for these dance majors. They are given a theater for their show and the opportunity to cast up to 20 student dancers. This final project, in essence, provides the dancers a chance to let their creativity shine through in an environment that faculty advisor, Kristin Kusanovich says has "a different flavor."
"It is self expressive," she said. "[They] are able to experiment and don't have to play to anyone."
It is an opportunity many may never have again, or at least may not for a long time to come.
In addition, dancers are in control of all of the elements of the show: concept, casting, music, costume, rehearsal schedule, communications, publicity, programs, fliers and even a videographer. Embedded in this responsibility comes the challenge of walking the line between professional and personal relationships when dealing with peers who volunteer to dance in their shows.
This challenge is one that Kusanovich says makes dance majors well equipped in careers after college. She says it teaches them to be good communicators, who can think on their feet and work well under pressure.
This year, seven of the nine senior dance majors are applying these skills to produce a six-dance-per-show festival. Three members completed their series in fall, leaving the remaining four for spring.
Becky Bignell bases her series on a concept from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet." She says that as graduation draws near and she prepares for a time of transition, she relates to the main character of the book, who is also leaving a place to which he has become accustom. She hopes people who have not come to see her over the past four years will choose to come see her last hurrah at Santa Clara. In her opinion, the show is also important because it "lets (the audience) see a part of each of the recitalist; they share a little about who they are and how they express movement."
She has sent out a mass e-mail inviting people to come. Becky hopes that among the crowd, which usually involves friends and family of the dancers and choreographers, some of her neighbors, church members and family will also attend.
She knows that her sister Katie will be there, and admits that it is great to have someone know exactly what she is going through right now. Though they have danced their whole lives together, this is the first chance they are taking to choreograph alone, which allows for their distinct styles to surface more.
After the event, the whole audience is personally invited to meet the dancers and four seniors in the green room of the theater. Tickets to see the show are available through the box office for $5 per segment and $8 for a festival pass. For more information, contact the box office at (408) 554-4015.
* Contact Caroline Vaughan at (408) 554-4546 or cvaughan@scu.edu.