MCA’s Dance Repertory Company “Classically Speaking”
Friday | April 12 | 7:30-9:00pm
Saturday | April 13 | 3:00-4:30pm
Page Theatre | 700 Terrace Heights
pagetheatre.org
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) Dance Repertory Company invites you to see an amazing and rare production, Classically Speaking where the music of well-known Classical composers, including Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, Glazunov, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Schubert is used to accompany contemporary dance forms, including hip hop, rhythm tap, jazz, and modern.
The Dance Repertory Company is MCA’s pre-professional dance troupe. Classically Speaking is the 46th annual spring concert and will be held in the beautiful Page Theatre on the Saint Mary’s University of MN campus on April 12 and 13. This concert will feature 38 area dancers age 11- adult, including 15 Saint Mary’s University students. The concert will feature 5 new and original choreographic works.
Bryan Moore, Saint Mary’s University of MN Alumni and professional actor who has been featured in the national tour of “White Christmas” came back to set a contemporary re-telling of the Greek myth of Artemis and Orion timed perfectly and dramatically to music of Shubert.
Choreographer Jessica Dienger creatively manages to piece together three unique dance styles, lyrical hip hip, jazz-funk and west coast/krumping hip hop to Beethoven music that has been infused with a contemporary beat.
The rhythm tap piece choreographed by Christine Martin features the music of Mozart through recordings but also live musicians on piano and violin as well as 42 tap dancing feet. This piece explores the dynamics of a “tap orchestra,” with a nod to Mr. Rogers.
Raina Racki’s modern dance piece explores “the journey of self” in three sections set to a score by Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and Glazunov. The audience with be awe-struck by the beauty and power of the five dancers in this pieces as as they move as an ensemble and individually.
The dancing during Classically Speaking is not just confined to the stage. MCA’s Director of Dance, Tammy Schmidt is bringing contemporary ballet to life on the landing and stairs of the lobby of theatre Page Theatre during intermission. The trio of dancers will be set in motion by live Bach music performed by MCA’s talented cello instructor, Rachael Ryan-Dalgren.
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and the Performance Center at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are members of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/JOIN.