Tomorrow night, local dance companies will put a modern twist on traditional ballet technique.
“Alloy,” a contemporary dance concert, will premier at the Manship Theatre to celebrate Of Moving Color’s 20th anniversary.
Garland Wilson, artistic director of OMC, said the performance will also include other dance companies like Willow Oak, Fuzion and Suarez Dance Theater.
Tamu Wilson, co-director of Willow Oak, a traveling dance company, said Willow Oak follows different dance philosophy than traditional ballet.
“We push the envelope with dance,” she said. “We give a representation of contemporary ballet.”
Tamu Wilson said she is eager because this is only the company’s second performance.
“The Theatre is a very intimate space, so we have to be on top of things,” she said.
She also said the show is unique because of the diverse presentations from each dance group.
Bethany McCullough, OMC choreographer, said each company offers its own artistic flair.
Carrie Claiburn, University alumna and OMC dancer, said the show has a mix of performance value.
“Our pieces are pretty eclectic,” she said.
McCullough said OMC’s pieces are also unique because the music ranges from Mozart to Led Zeppelin, combining modern dance with dance theater.
Nick Erickson, University theatre professor and actor, said he enjoys his role as maestro in “The Maestro’s Music.”
“It is very silly,” he said. “This piece is more about dancing with a dramatic intent.”
Garland Wilson said Kristine Suarez portrays the interpretive dance genre with her solo, “OH!” which will only show Friday night.
“It investigates a woman’s journey,” she said.
Tamu Wilson said the production is geared toward the new age dance audience.
“We’d like to get younger audiences,” she said. “Modern dance is more popular.”
McCullough and Garland Wilson said they chose the title “Alloy” to represent the collaborative efforts of the concert.
“Our dance concert will fuse together an incredible mixture of movement – an alloy of our own – represented by three strong companies in the South,” Garland Wilson said.
Tamu Wilson said the concert says a lot about where the city is moving in the direction of performance art.
Garland Wilson and Tamu Wilson agreed that working with different dance groups has been a positive experience.
“I am thrilled to be joining forces with other dancers from our community,” she said. “It strengthens Baton Rouge’s dance scene at large.”
They also said “Alloy” will stand out from other dance performances this year.
“Each person will walk away with something different,” Tamu Wilson said.
“Alloy” will premier Friday night at 7:30 p.m. followed by another showing Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
—Contact Lindsay Gallmann at [email protected]