The Student Choreography Project (SCP) hit the stage in the George Rowland White Performance Studio this past weekend. The performances ran Wednesday through Sunday.
SCP is a semester-annual showcase displaying a series of pieces choreographed by senior dance majors. This performance is a culmination of months of experimentation, hard work and exploration by both the casts and choreographers.
For the senior dance majors, SCP is relative to a final presentation. To graduate, dance majors must take a three-section composition course. The third and final semester of composition is dedicated to SCP, where students can present their understanding of the choreographic process. They are graded on both their dance piece as well as a journal documenting everything from rehearsal times to stage production.
Over this past weekend, three different casts performed. Each show offered different styles of dance, as well as a variety of concepts. Prior to a piece beginning, the senior choreographer introduces both themselves and the concept behind their dance. Identifying the inspiration is also a first step to creating a dance.
Each senior had a unique approach to deciding the theme of their piece. For senior ballet concentration Tasha Stearns-Clemons, she initially connected with the music of her piece.
“I heard the music first my sophomore year, and I was really inspired by that and all the things that it made me feel,” Stearns-Clemons said. “So I did a lot of research on the philosopher that was discussed in the music, and I just created this whole concept.”
Stearns-Clemon’s piece was titled “The Absurd Life.” It featured four dancers costumed in bright colors. The piece was contemporary and featured both soft and hard movements. The contrasting choreography not only exemplified the dancer’s strength and flexibility but also the concept of the piece portraying how crazy life can feel.
The rigorous amount of work that goes into the production cannot go unnoticed. The casting process begins the first week of the semester when all dance majors audition various choreography excerpts in front of seniors. After deliberating, the cast lists are announced and rehearsals begin.
SCP is a valuable opportunity for seniors, as it serves as an official experience working in choreography and teaching before dancing professionally. Emily Ginsburg, a senior jazz concentration, admits her experience with the SCP to be an unexpected challenge.
“It was very vulnerable, having to stand in front of people every rehearsal and give them stuff from your brain, and then not being able to read their opinion about it, and then thinking how are other people gonna read this when they see it on stage” Ginsburg said.
While it was challenging to navigate the emotions that surfaced when directing rehearsals, Ginsburg still made her piece. The piece was titled “Behind the Green Door” and was inspired by the rise of jazz music in the 1920s. This number celebrates the community of jazz dance and its lasting impression on American pop culture. It features a diverse cast that brings light to the emerging confidence of women in the Roaring ‘20s, as well as respect for African American influence on jazz music.
The SCP is an amazing time for seniors and underclassmen. Every semester, underclassmen create more and more cross-grade connections through SCP, leading to their Point Park debut.
Libby Orcutt, a freshman jazz concentration, said that she has a newfound confidence from her involvement in SCP. Orcutt will be performing with Cast A in senior Morgan Lineweaver’s piece, “Dead Calm.”
“There’s a lot more emotion and passion put behind everything that you perform here,” Orcutt said. “I feel like you get more confidence, getting cast and having more performance opportunities.”
SCP gives audience members a peek into the complex dance community at the Conservatory of Performing Arts, displaying the individuality and community of each person performing.
