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Dance performers
Rohini Acharya and Mitsuko Horikawa will perform in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre’s Winter Footholds (photo by Chesley Cannon)

The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa presents the first installment of this season’s Footholds series, showcasing new choreography by its graduate and undergraduate dance students. Winter Footholds brings together student dancers, choreographers, technicians and designers to create a concert that demonstrates the breadth of the department’s training. The program will be performed at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre January 29, 30, 31, and February 1 at 8 p.m., and February 2 at 2 p.m. A post-show discussion will follow the performance on Friday, January 31.

A highlight of the evening will be “Rhythm’s Expression,” which re-imagines the components of the classical Indian dance style Bharata Natyam. The piece will serve as the MFA thesis project for Rohini Acharya, who was featured last semester in UH Mānoa’s mainstage dance concert Look Back: Move Forward.

Reflecting a deeply personal narrative, Acharya’s choreography was inspired by Tirupathi Chandrupatla’s poem “World Dance Stage,” which equates the beauty and grace of nature with the beauty and grace of dance. Acharya has been performing classical Indian dance for 20 years, and says she is proud to bring these traditions to her work in the department.

The seven featured pieces demonstrate the department’s dedication to a broad range of work featuring classical and contemporary influences. “We are constantly astounded by the unique choreographic voices of our students, and the variety of work they produce,” said dance professor Betsy Fisher, who is coordinating and directing the concert. “Their far-reaching interests and creative curiosity make our jobs as faculty interesting, challenging and deeply rewarding.”

Ticket information

Tickets are $18 general; $16 military/seniors and UH faculty and staff; $13 UHAA members and non UH Mānoa students; and $5 students with validated spring 2014 UH Mānoa photo ID.

Purchase tickets online or call (808) 944-2697. Tickets will also be available at the Kennedy Theatre box office, open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with extended hours on performance dates.

For disability access, please call the theatre.

For more information about the performances, read the UH Mānoa news release.

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