Resident dance company holds traditional performance at the Bardavon
On Mar. 2 and 3, the Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre (VRDT), a dance company in residence at Vassar College, performed its 37th annual gala weekend at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in downtown Poughkeepsie. The two shows featured 36 Vassar students presenting a creative mix of ballet, jazz, and modern dance pieces choreographed by both faculty and students.
“This year the company features many talented dancers and the repertory is varied and engaging a…spectacular celebration of dance in all of its forms,” said John Meehan, Professor of Dance at Vassar and Director of VRDT.
The program opened with excerpts from the classical ballet Raymonda staged by Meehan featuring new choreography by faculty choreographer Miriam Mahdaviani. The program then transitioned to showcasing modern works such as “Rose Riot” by Katherine Wildberger and “Ringside” by Stephen Rooks as well as a fusion of contemporary styles shown in “(re)invigorate,” a piece by guest alumna choreographer Margaux Lieser ’18. A total of 10 works were choreographed by students. Each performance ended with “Motown a la Mode,” a jazz performance featuring the entire company which gave tribute to the legendary Motown artist, Aretha Franklin.
“The whole performance was amazing!” said audience member, Itara Moore. “You could tell that the students put in a lot of work and heart into every individual piece of the entire performance.”
In addition to the intensely rhythmic dance styles, VRDT student choreographers offered both serious and light-hearted works with pieces such as “omw (to see my) bae” and “it’s a disaster (but it’s ok).”
“I was in both performances, a mix of both modern and ballet for both nights,” said sophomore Lisette Fischer. “I loved being able to work hard on something and be proud of the time and effort I’ve dedicated to an art form that Itruly love.”
The passion and commitment to the art of dance by VRDT faculty and students alike was evident both on and off stage during the preparation and production process. Rehearsals for the company began as early as September of last fall with students spending anywhere between four to over 10 hours a week at times preparing for VRDT’s gala weekend. According to graduating senior, Savannah Smith, the company spent every night since Tuesday of last week rehearsing and perfecting the final product.
“My favorite performance overall had to be “Ringside.” The dancers had such an intensity to them that were expressed through their movements, which made me feel as if I was a part of the story they were trying to tell,” said Moore. “Overall, the performance was both new and exciting and something I wish everyone could have experienced.”
The first Annual VRDT Gala Performances was held at the Bardavon in 1983. Since then, VRDT continues to uphold its tradition every spring semester showcasing a combination of modern dance reconstructions, classical ballet pieces, and original choreography by faculty and students.
“After performing at the Bardavon, there’s honestly no question why I joined VRDT,” said Fischer. “It’s for the feeling I had coming off stage of being in awe of what everyone has worked so hard for.”
Graduating senior Tiana Chung shared a similar sentiment: “Dance defined my life growing up and so there was no hesitation to audition for VRDT when I came to Vassar,” said Chung. “Being a part of VRDT gave me my first and strongest community on Vassar’s campus and I love being able to do what I love to do alongside people that I love.”
