Wayne State University's Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce Celebrate!, its 85th annual spring dance concert. There are two chances to attend this great production, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 and Friday, Feb. 28 at Detroit's Bonstelle Theatre.
Celebrate! features dynamic and diverse works by nationally renowned guest artists Dwight Rhoden and Amaniyea Payne; WSU faculty members Nicholas Leichter, J. M. Rebudal and Meg Paul; adjunct faculty members Rachael Harbert and Lisa LaMarre; and select student choreographers.
Rhoden, the 2013-14 Maggie Allesee Artist in Residence and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, will restage "Hissy Fits," a powerful work showcasing dynamic partnering and the complexities of relationships. "Hissy Fits" was performed at The Joyce Theatre as part of the Complexions benefit gala in New York and has been selected to represent Wayne State at the American College Dance Festival (ACDFA).
Rebudal's "Past (The Third)" delineates the idea that life has no boundaries and, in any given situation, there are "shades of grey" where one's roles or responsibilities are often blurred and overlapped with other existing issues. Paul's epic and moving contemporary ballet "Far Beyond the Endless" explores the life of memories -- from the intimate to the collective. Closing out the faculty works is "Twelve Inches Familial," choreographed by Leichter -- a densely layered, constant shift of stage and space, where brief and intimate connections explore the extended familial relationships are destined to have. Outstanding student works complete the program, including Adam McGaw's "The Quiet Ones" and Michelle Brock's "Halcyon," both of which will represent WSU at the ACDFA.
Tickets range from $15 to $20 and can be purchased by phone at 313-577-2960, online at wsushows.com, or in person at the Wayne State University Theatre Box Office, located at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock.
The season is sponsored by CBS Outdoor, Between the Lines, and Encore Michigan.