History, spirit and whimsy combine in 'Between the Lines'

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Matthew Kelty, (808) 956-2598
Director of Publicity, Kennedy Theatre
Kennedy Theatre Box Office, (808) 956-7655
Posted: Apr 7, 2014

Devon Izumigawa and Chelsea Van Billiard
Devon Izumigawa and Chelsea Van Billiard

The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is proud to present “Behind The Lines,” the Spring installment of the department’s “Footholds” series, as the final production of Kennedy Theatre’s 2013-2014 50th Anniversary Season.  This diverse production brings together student dancers, choreographers, technicians and designers to showcase new choreography by its graduate and undergraduate dance students.  The program will be performed at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre on April 23, 24, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m.  A post-show discussion will follow the performance on Friday, April 25.

“Between the Lines” will feature the works of seniors Chelsea Van Billiard and Devon Izumigawa, who will present their senior projects for the BFA degree.  Van Billiard’s dance, “Shaping Ground,” was influenced by the new movement vocabulary that she learned during her recent semester abroad at the London Contemporary Dance School.  The piece’s dynamic range of movement will showcase the dancers’ strength and endurance.  Izumigawa’s Chinese dance training is evident in his work “Blades Over Hearts,” an abstract reflection of Chinese people's struggles at the end of the Tang Dynasty.  Izumigawa choreography utilizes complex spatial patterns, martial choreography and swordplay to communicate his vision.

A wide range of influences inspired the dance presented in the concert.  Graduate student Megan Brennan will present Odissi classical dance with her piece "Batu,” conceived as a dance offering to one of the 64 aspects of the Hindu god Shiva.  The piece begins with Brennan depicting instruments such as the lute, drum and cymbals.  Faith Im describes her composition "Still" as “a prayer for peace,” and notes that it was inspired by Susanna Majuri's digital art piece, "Gravity."

“Between the Lines” will also feature light-hearted fare. Graduate student Mitsuko Horikawa continues in the whimsical vein of “The Wild Chase,” which she presented in the February “Winter Footholds” concert.  This time, in her piece “Vivace,” four musical notes spring from their score and begin to dance.  Undergraduate Lexi Hughes’ piece, “My First Heels,” reflects humorously on her first encounter wearing high heels.

As always, the variety of pieces presented in the Footholds series reflects the wide range of interests among UHM’s dance students, and the breadth of training that the department provides.

Tickets for the Spring Footholds concert are available online at etickethawaii.com, by phone at (808) 944-2697, at participating outlets, and at the Kennedy Theatre box office beginning April 21.  The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours on performance dates.  Prices are $18 for general admission; $16 for seniors / military / UH faculty and staff; $13 for UHAA members and non-UHM students; and $5 for UHM students with a validated Spring 2014 UHM photo ID.  All service fees are included in ticket prices.  For more information, please visit hawaii.edu/kennedy or call the theater at (808) 956-7655.  For disability access, please call the theater.

EVENT:

“Spring Footholds: Between the Lines”

PRESENTED BY:

UHM Department of Theatre and Dance

WHEN:

April 23, 24, 25* and 26 at 8 p.m.

April 27 at 2 p.m.

* Free post-show discussion on April 25

WHERE:

UHM’s Earle Ernst Lab Theatre

1770 East-West Road, Honolulu

TICKET PRICES:

$18 general admission

$16 seniors / military / UH Faculty and staff

$13 UHAA members and non-UHM students

$5   UHM students with validated Spring 2014 UHM photo ID

All service fees are included in ticket prices.

PURCHASE INFO:

Tickets are available online at etickethawaii.com, by phone at (808) 944-2697, at participating outlets, and at the Kennedy Theatre box office beginning April 21.  The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours on performance dates.

For more information, visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/kennedy/2013/springfootholds/index.php