A Fresh Take on Dance
Photo by A. Pierce Bounds '71.
Freshwoks 2023 brings student choreography to Mathers
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
The spring 2023 Freshworks concert melds an array of styles and influences. Working together with student lighting designers and costumers, they bring a polished and professional student-driven concert to the stage, says Sarah Skaggs, director of dance, who directs the concert with Erin Crawley-Woods, visiting instructor in dance.
Headlining this year’s dance concert are student-choreographed works by Sidney Valdez '23, Melina Tseckares ’25, Mackenzie Brielmann ’23, Caroline Meyer ’25 and Julieta Bursztyn '25.
Valdez, a double major in neuroscience and dance who studied dance at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy, as well as at Dickinson, choregraphed her work, "Transient" as her senior project. Through it, she reflects on the fleeting passage of time. Tseckares, a double major in dance and educational studies, contributed two works—one about creativity across life stages and the other about a personal experience with injury.
Brielmann (dance, psychology) draws inspiration from a fellow “Mac”—Fleetwood Mac—to portray the highs and lows of undergrad life. Meyer, an archaeology major who has attended intensive programs at American Ballet Theatre and Gelsey Kirkland Academy and has competed at the Youth America Grand Prix, celebrates finding joy in everyday life. And Bursztyn, a double major in biochemistry & molecular biology and dance who hails from Argentina, combines hip-hop, reggaetron, femme style, jazz, modern and ballet influences in her “fiery journey" of self-expression and womanhood.
Valdez, who’s been working on her project since last fall, says it’s challenging and thrilling to see an original idea come to life onstage. “I’ve learned a lot, and it’s been really amazing to watch my dancers make the piece their own,” she says. Realizing her vision in partnership with fellow DTG dancers—a community that’s been central to her college experience—is all the more satisfying. “All of the student choreographers, performers and designers have prepared really amazing work—this show is not to be missed!”
View more photos on DIckinson's Facebook page.
Performances will be held in Mathers Theatre Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, at 7 p.m., as well as Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m.Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
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Published April 27, 2023