By Victoria Gaffney
Mason students are taking the stage with a set of three eclectic, contemporary works for this year’s Dance Gala Performances at the George Mason University School of Dance. Technically challenging, these pieces showcase the students’ sophisticated style, professional poise and advanced skill level.
What makes this year’s set of performances particularly unique is a Gala Dinner Celebration. Dr. Victoria Salmon, associate dean emeritus, relates that it all began at a meeting last year. At this conference, faculty member Christopher d’Amboise expressed that his dad, Jacques d’Amboise, had suggested they turn the whole event into a “full-blown gala.”
Susan Shields, director of the School of Dance at George Mason, is thrilled with this year’s repertoire. “It’s just phenomenal that we’re being given permission to dance these works,” she explains.
The show will open with the lively, upbeat “Pupil Suite,” by Andrea Miller, who is the founder, artistic director and choreographer of Gallim Dance, a New York company. With the Israeli band Balkan Beat Box providing the musical backdrop for the piece, the animated choreography is paired with edgy, trendy costumes, what Shields refers to as “Williamsburg Brooklyn” style. “It’s just so high energy, so quirky. So smart and fun,” Shields claims of Miller’s work.
Following this energetic and dynamic performance will be a work that the school is honored to perform by Alejandro Cerrudo, Hubbard Street Dance’s first resident choreographer. Shields explains that this company artistically fuses ballet and modern, which is similar to George Mason’s approach. Three couples will perform Cerrudo’s “Lickety Split” set to Devendra Banhart’s indie-rock music. Shields refers to the dance as a series of “intimate duets”—not romantic in nature, but evoking a more general lifelong journey. “It’s just very subtle and sensuous partnering,” says Shields, who feels that this work particularly illustrates the talent and maturity of these dancers.
The evening will close with the compelling, intense “Vespers” by legendary choreographer Ulysses Dove. The students had the privilege of working with Alvin Ailey dancers on this piece when they visited the Kennedy Center earlier this year. Alvin Ailey dancers, having also performed this piece, worked one on one with Mason students dancing the same parts. The experience was incredible for the students. “Nothing can make you happier as someone who’s lived her life in dance to see things passed on hands-on like that,” says Shields.
When putting together this dance program, Shields is always looking for works that will accomplish two goals. The first is to ensure the routines are not only engaging but that they also expose audiences to great artistic pieces and the advanced skill level of Mason dancers. The second goal is to make sure the works will open doors for the dancers, possibly leading to networking opportunities and the ability to learn from the dances themselves.
The level of sophistication in these performances reflects the rigor and high standards of the dance program. Salmon explains that she’s seen “a new sense of energy and willingness to explore different avenues of the arts” at Mason. She points to a collaboration and synergy between faculty and students across art programs, which has contributed to this new dynamic feel.
Mason dancers go on to pursue various careers in the dance world, whether that be performing in a professional company, writing for a dance magazine or becoming involved in events management or arts administration. “We want educated, smart dancers working in the dance field bringing that special intelligence that they have to our field,” Shields says. Salmon describes their approach as an ideal combination of the professional and academic.
The gala, which will raise funds for student scholarships to the School of Dance, will be held before the March 28 performance with Jacques d’Ambroise, the Gala Concert’s honorary chair, in attendance. Performances will be held this year at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on March 27 and March 28 and, for the first time, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on March 29. The gala before the March 28 performances will feature cocktails and dinner and there will be champagne toasts with the dancers following the program.
Gala Concert and Dinner Schedule:
Saturday, March 28
Reception: 5:30 p.m.
Dinner & program: 6 p.m.
Gala performance: 8 p.m.
Meet the Mason Dance Company and champagne toast: following the performance
Ticket Information:
Performance only: $25 for adults, $15 for seniors & Mason students
Gala Concert and Dinner on March 28: starts at $150 per person
Contact Kara Huneycutt at (703) 993-4749 or khuneycu@gmu.edu.
Venues:
March 27 and March 28 performances
Center for the Arts at Mason
4400 University Drive, MS 2F5
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-993-8888
March 29 performance
10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
703-993-7759