May 1, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DeShona Pepper Robertson
(937) 542-7414

Education and Choreography have Equal Footing at Stivers School for the Arts’ Annual Spring Choreographers’ Showcase

In the field of dance, many professional choreographers teach and make dances, yet some consider teaching supplemental to their primary craft of choreography. Stivers’ 2018 Spring Choreographers’ Showcase, entitled “Hidden,” shows the work of choreographers committed to building knowledge through teaching then showing its use creatively. Over the years, the showcase has maintained its variety and length. Seven choreographers, including dance faculty, a graduating senior, and two guests will present eleven works in this highly anticipated local school event.

Students, families, and the public are invited to purchase tickets for the dance department’s production of “Hidden” at Stivers Centennial Hall. The audience will enjoy its dedicated students in faculty dances by Karen Hochwalt, DeShona Pepper Robertson, Kirsten Ulrich, and Rodney Veal, senior student, Genae Yeldell, and two guest choreographers: Ashley Walton and longtime collaborator Terence M. Greene of Cleveland, OH. Guest dancers Leonard Perez and Timothy Barker will perform. “Hidden” combines equal parts aesthetics and rigorous dance education offered by students and teachers. Performances take place Friday and Saturday, May 11 & 12, 7 PM at the school’s Centennial Hall, 1515 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH. Tickets can be purchased at Stivers or by calling (937) 542-7414.

Choreographer Terence M. Greene, a mainstay collaborator with Stivers annual showcase, brings his long-acknowledged ability to choreograph for dancers at all levels.

“I highly admire Terence’s skill. He can mold any and all human movement potential into stage worthy dance,” explained Stivers dance director, DeShona Pepper Robertson. “The students get excited for his arrival and look forward to performing his work.” Greene has choreographed “Hidden” which shares its title with the Oscar-nominated film and the concert where it will be performed. Its cast features Leonard Perez, most recently of the Dayton Ballet, and Stivers alumni Timothy Barker. In addition to “Hidden” Greene’s “In Between Spaces” will be performed and include dancers from his company, Greene Works Project, in Cleveland, OH.

Representing the learner’s side of dance-making in the collaborative school environment is senior dance student Genae Yeldell. Her dance is called “C’est la Vie” and serves as a farewell to her six years of study at Stivers. “This dance is a tribute and a goodbye to this chapter of my journey,” offered Yeldell. After graduating she plans to attend Miami University in Oxford, OH.

Following a year of executing a curriculum of technique, history, and composition classes, Stivers dance faculty will display choreography that comprises the bulk of the showcase. “The point is to let the students show their families and friends how they apply what they’ve studied all year,” said Robertson. She and faculty members Karen Hochwalt and Rodney Veal have two works, each, on the program. Their colleague, Kirsten Ulrich, will show choreography as will guest choreographer, Ashley Walton.

“Hidden,” Stivers Annual Spring Choreographers’ Showcase takes place on Friday and Saturday, May 11 & 12 at 7 PM at the school’s Centennial Hall, 1313 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH. Tickets can be purchased at Stivers or by calling (937) 542-7414.