Chicago Dance Gazette August 2006
Dancing the Summer Away: Columbia College’s Dance Workshop
by Susanna Hostetter
Girls are gossiping, their granola bars crunching and bare feet thumping. As I step into the frosty theatre, the voices trip and stop, leaving wrappers crinkling and feet bouncing towards the Marley floor. A smooth voice calls, “Alright, guys, let’s start.”
I’m at the dance building of Columbia College in downtown Chicago, taking part in a unique summer dance program. The program is part of Columbia’s High School Summer Institute, which offers classes to sophomores through graduated seniors, from printmaking and fashion design to—you guessed it—dance. The program offers college credit to its students. It runs for five intense weeks, Monday through Thursday for three hours a day, culminating in a showcase in August.
The smooth voice directs our motion over the vivacious drumming and keyboards of the live musical accompaniment. The voice belongs to Pam McNeil, program co-teacher and faculty member at the college. “My goal for the students is to become free of fears and inhibitions regarding the use of the body as an instrument of artistic expression,” she says. “Basic alignment, strength, and flexibility are key. And it’s fun.” Pam uses a team-teaching approach with friend and fellow Mordine and Company alum Dardi McGinley Gallivan. “We balance each other out,” she smiles.
Every morning begins with an hour and a half of modern technique class, where Graham and Cunningham influences are most prominent. After a short break, the dancers either unite for the group piece or break into five smaller units to rehearse student-choreographed work. The group piece includes many student-created duets and trios inspired by Chicago architecture and Millennium Park, and the notion of community within the city.
Black, white, and brown bodies contract and release in a sepia rainbow of movement. The backgrounds of the dancers are as diverse as the dancers themselves. The sixteen girls and one guy commute from the far North and South sides, and various surrounding suburbs. “The diversity here is great,” says Pam. “The students really get to broaden their horizons.” The dance experience within the group ranges from none at all to eleven years of classical ballet. “I’ve danced sporadically all my life—ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and breakdance,” says Gabrielle Manuel, 19. “I want to go into musical theatre, so this experience is necessary.” And how does a multi-level class work? “It can be difficult when the class slows down too much,” sighs seventeen year old Naisha Harris. “It’s challenging,” counters Gabrielle. “I’ve never done Modern before.”
Besides the regular modern technique classes, students are exposed to workshops in contact improvisation, hip hop, and a jazz class with River North dancer Jeff Hancock. This diversity is reflected in the student choreographed pieces: two modern, one lyrical, and one hip hop, with music ranging from heavy metal to the airy Cirque du Soleil. Themes range from passion to politics: one piece features dancers bound in red, white, and blue cloth and trenchcoats, using signs with slogans. Says Katie Pastore, cracking open a bottle of vitamin water, “I’ve never choreographed before. I’m going to major in dance and I wanted the experience. I couldn’t ask for a better group of dancers.
And the upcoming show? “I’m nervous about the response, since this is my first time choreographing. But also, I’m very, very excited.”
Me too.
The final performances for the Dance Workshop are Tuesday, August 8, at 12:30 pm, and Wednesday, August 9, at 10:30 am. Both are located at the Columbia College Dance Center at 1306 S. Michigan, and both are free of cost.
Questions? Contact Susanna at schostetter@gmail.com
August 21, 2006 Footnote by Susanna:
The shows went beautifully, and the dancers were proud of their accomplishment. Hugs and delighted smiles abounded. A delicious cookie reception followed, where conversations continued and laughter rang out for a long time after the final bow!
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