“Fresh Dance” Held at SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ — “Fresh Dance,” the upcoming dance concert at SUNY New Paltz, offers an exciting array of energetic dance styles, African drumming, and original choreography by students and dance professionals. Fresh Dance will be performed at 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2, and at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 3. Performances are held in McKenna Theatre at SUNY New Paltz.

As a forum for students to gain experience in choreography and performance, “Fresh Dance” is invaluable. In addition to creating their own original dances, students have the opportunity to work with renowned dancer-choreographer Lucinda Ransom, formerly of the original Alvin Ailey Dance Company; and Yoav Kaddar, formerly of the Jose Limón Dance Company, Pilobolus, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Kaddar is also a recent addition to the Theatre Arts faculty.

While theatrical lighting plays an important in all live performance, lighting is an especially important component of “Fresh Dance”. Students in the advanced lighting courses work collaboratively with each of the choreographers under the tutelage of lighting designer John Wade. “This type of collaboration makes the dancers more aware of the technique and artistry involved in lighting dance, and exposes the lighting students to another medium of performance.”

Following the performance on Friday, December 1, the audience is invited to a reception. Tickets for “Fresh Dance” are available at the door beginning one hour prior to curtain. All tickets are general admission; seating is first-come-first-served. Prices for seats are as follows: $5 general admission, $3 for senior citizens and students.

For more information, or for directions to SUNY New Paltz and McKenna Theatre, please call 845-257-3872. A complete list of upcoming arts events is available at the following web site: http://hawk.newpaltz.edu/artsnews

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