The CA Dance Project winter performance showcases the diversity of the dance program. Choreographed by dance faculty Rika Okamoto and Alexander Brady, the numbers Turn! Turn! Turn! and The Rite of Spring explore movement through two distinctive periods and perspectives.
The first is a fast-paced ’60s-inspired piece set against a colorful graffiti backdrop. Dancer Irene Jiang ’24 says, “What we aim to showcase in Turn! Turn! Turn! is the variety of styles and techniques this large group of dancers possesses.” The choreography emphasizes energetic movements, dynamic footwork, and expressive gestures that incorporate elements of social dances of the era, such as the twist.
Each dancer shines as they express themselves on stage. “Rika and Alex encourage us to make the dances our own,” Dancer Caroline Shih ’25 shares, “allowing us the space to incorporate our own styles of movement into the dances we do.”
The choreography is set to hits from the decade including Dream a Little Dream of Me by Doris Day, Stand by Me by Ben E. King, and the namesake Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds, among others. The title holds multiple meanings, as the music serves as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of time.“We believe history often repeats itself,” Okamoto and Brady say, noting that society still grapples with many of the social issues present in the protest music of the ’60s.
The second number is an excerpt from the classic ballet The Rite of Spring, which depicts Russian pagan rituals celebrating the arrival of the spring season. Okamoto and Brady share, “The piece explores the dramatic and theatrical aspect of dance letting feelings and physical challenges guide the dancer’s movements and creating something truly powerful on stage.”
Black curtains enclose the dance studio and the lights go dark for the performance, with a spotlight shining on a crimson cloth. Dancers enter enshrouded in cloaks and dance in unison using angular, primitive, and frenetic movements. They encircle the red fabric—a symbol of danger—and take turns passing it to one another. Igor Stravinsky’s score with dissonant harmonies and percussion creates an intense atmosphere.
“I think my favorite part of this performance is the drama of the second piece,” Dancer Julia Milan ’24 says. “We get to put our all into the dance, and I find it really cathartic and rewarding. I’m excited to perform it and see the audience’s reactions.”
“I see the two pieces as a transition from my classical and technical dancer self to a more abstract and emotional self,” Irene says. “Rika and Alex emphasize the importance of feeling each other’s presence without exact replication. It’s about fitting into the theme while retaining our unique traits and identities.”
CA audiences were inspired by the breadth and range of the dance program.
More News
CA Brings Experts in Peace and Conflict Studies to Campus
Convocation Ceremony Opens the 2023–24 School Year with Focus on Belonging
