The School of Theatre and Dance is thrilled to announce that the Kent Dance Ensemble (KDE), under the artistic direction of assistant professor of dance Catherine Meredith, was chosen for the American College Dance Association's (ACDA) East-Central Conference GALA concert for the fifth consecutive year of in person ACDA conferences.
Kent State School of Theatre and Dance faculty members and students attended the East-Central American College Dance Association Conference (ACDA) at Ohio University from Friday, March 10-Monday, March 13, where adjudicators choose pieces to be performed at the GALA concert. Approximately 17 Kent State dance students participated in classes, workshops, performances and summer intensive auditions.
“Bolero” (choreographed by Heinz Poll) restaged by Catherine Meredith, Assistant Professor of Dance, was selected for the Conference GALA. This is a great honor and recognizes the artistry of Professor Meredith and of KDE dancers!
"Bolero" will be performed at Kent State University March 24-25, 2023 during the Kent Dance Ensemble's annual concert, Kent Dance Ensemble: Collective Impressions
Get Tickets for Kent Dance Ensemble: Collective Impressions
KDE Participation at ACDA
Students and faculty selected two dances to be performed at the conference on Friday evening. This is an adjudicated dance concert, meaning dances chosen from this concert and Saturday's concert will be invited to be performed again at the Gala concert on Monday afternoon. The first dance performed by Kent State students is “Bolero” (choreographed by Heinz Poll) restaged by Catherine Meredith, Assistant Professor of Dance, which was performed this past fall during the dance concert, “Shifting Landscapes.” The second dance is “From the Eyes of Girl” choreography by Willow Freed, senior. Additionally, Kent State’s Jared Warren, a sophomore, will be featured in a dance as part of an informal concert titled "You Shall Not Certainly Die..."
Professors Catherine Meredith and Ambre Emory-Maier also taught workshops at the ACDA Conference. Professor Meredith taught Horton, a modern dance technique that emphasizes whole-body movement. Professor Ambre Emory-Maier taught ballet, pointe and conducting a workshop on trauma-sensitive and restorative education.
ABOUT THE KENT DANCE ENSEMBLE
Under artistic director Catherine Meredith, the company provides a professional atmosphere and structure that prepares its student members to bridge the gap between a college dance experience and working with a professional dance company. KDE produces dance concerts every year, performs at other universities and in neighboring communities, presents lecture/demonstrations at schools in northeastern Ohio, offers movement workshops for all ages and abilities and participates in regional and national dance festivals. The repertory of modern and jazz dance is developed by the company artistic director and by KSU faculty members and invited guest artists.
Educational residencies bring arts appreciation and educational enhancement to the K-12 schools of the region. Fees are modest and are designed to cover production costs for costumes, lighting, publicity and guest artists; and to support travel expenses and workshop materials for their work on tour.
About ACDA
The ACDA’s jubilee celebrates 50 years of supporting dance in higher education. Along with celebrating ACDA50, the conference includes a wide variety of classes, scholarly research presentations, opportunities for student and faculty exchanges in and out of the studio, adjudication and informal concerts, feedback sessions and a Gala Concert. The conference is also planning for special faculty seminars and workshops and other opportunities for faculty development.
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Media Contact:
Jen Crabtree jcrabt13@kent.edu