Dance heads to Washington D.C.

By Morgan Steger
The Collegian

The six members of Fresno State’s dance production “Tablas” have an excellent excuse for skipping their final exams — they will be in Washington, D.C. dancing across the stage of the Kennedy Center’s theatre.

The dancers, who have been practicing and performing the Afro-Haitian inspired modern dance piece since January, found out a week ago that they will be dancing with the best in the country at the American College Dance Festival Nationals, held May 16-18, said director Ruth Griffin.

In order to make it to nationals, the dancers had to first compete in the regional competition in Sacramento. Of the 55 dances that were presented at the regional competition, “Tablas” was one of thirteen chosen to perform in the event’s highlight, the Gala Concert, said dancer Erin Soto.

Soto said being chosen to perform at the Gala Concert was an honor enough in her mind. She had no idea it would earn the dancers a ticket to Washington. “We thought that’s where the road ended,” she said.

The dancers were both excited and nervous to take the stage at the Gala Concert. “You’re representing the best of the best of the festival,” said dancer Kelly Newsome. The presence of the dance’s choreographer, Erin Landry, who had yet to see Fresno State’s dancers perform her piece, gave them added inspiration, Newsome said. “That totally pumped us up,” she said.

The pounding rhythms and explosively energetic choreography of the dance, which combines modern, jazz and ballet styles, impressed the Gala Concert judges, who selected it to be one of three dances which will represent a five state region at the national competition, said Griffin.

The chance to perform at a venue as prestigious as the Kennedy Center is the highlight of her college dance career, Newsome, a graduating senior said. “I feel like I’m definitely going out with a bang,” she said.

Fresno State was last invited to perform at nationals in 1998, Griffin said. In the past, the event has not been a judged competition, but a venue for the best in the nation to perform, she said.

The senior dancers are thrilled to be dancing at the Kennedy Center, even if it means they have to jump onto a red-eye flight to make it back to Fresno in time to dance across Fresno State’s graduation ceremony stage, with diploma in hand.

“It’s definitely a big honor,” Soto said, “I’m focused on performing and doing a good job there.”

The Dance Department is in the process of deciding how they will be raising money to help cover the cost of attending nationals, Griffin said. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact Griffin at (559)278-5108.

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