RU Department of Dance

Spring Semester 2008

Liz Abt Monday 21 January 2008

My name is Liz Abt and Our first Rehearsal for spring 2008 was on January 16th and I am a senior. We watched the video from last time since it has been four week since we have rehearsed, to remember want we changed and to review. I was really nervous about that first rehearsal because I really did not remember is all, but I was not the only one and I was really surprised to see how much I did remember. Then we also rehearsed the trio. I am really excited that I still get to work with danah; she has taught me so much about analyzing dance. Before break danah was rehearsing the solo with Amanda and danah saw a lot of things I did not like Amanda was tending to close up her cheat when dancing but she only did that in front of us it seemed like she was trying to hide. danah also said something about how Amanda was pliéing, she wasn’t using her plié she was just bending her leg. Once Amanda made those corrections it made all the difference. One thing that I have learned from danah is that when you are not dancing as much to get really grounded right away in movement is to spread your toes. She knows so much about body placement it’s amazing. I am really glad that I am her rehearsal assistant; I want to learn as much as possible from her.

Liz Abt Monday 27 January 2008

The group piece is really coming along. I finally got danah's solo for the group piece (have to learn multiple parts as a rehearsal assistant) and I think that is mostly because I had to teach it to our new dancer Sarah. I am glad that I finally got it...it took me forever. I really like where the piece is going and I am really starting the love with it. We created this new partnering section that is one of my favorite parts and I like that we have contact in that part of the piece as well. I also really like the new jump sequence with the arms...I just need to get it into my body. I really need to practice the parts with the supermans (if you want to know what a superman is come to the show in April). I can't wait for our first performance.

Liz Abt Monday 4 February 2008

Last Wednesday we had rehearsal with out danah, because she was performing in NY...I still have to ask her how it went. At that rehearsal Amanda taught Laura, Julie, Stacey, and I the "pretty piece" as danah calls it. It’s a really fun piece and we have to smile in it. There are some partnering parts and it’s not very long; it’s like five minuets. The movement is rather flowy. I feel that we still need to go over placement and sequencing. I am getting rather excited for our performance at the end of the month. Its in Huntington, WV...my mom was going to try to come but it’s too far for her to come, but I think that she might come to the one in April.

This past weekend Alison was in town so Amanda and I taught her what the group piece is as of now. Julie also come by and taught Alison the parts that she and her do together. The rehearsal was optional, but I kind of have to be there since I am also the rehearsal assistant. I am really glad that I went to the rehearsal, because I feel that I have to sequencing a whole lot better now; and for those fast parts I do not feel as rushed as I did in last rehearsal. Alison and Amanda also rehearsed the duet. I feel that rehearsal went very well.

Laura Johnson Sunday 10 February 2008

Rehearsal for danah bella dance works has proven to be successful for the month of January. It's extremely hard work. I feel a lot stronger with my movement. I feel connected to the other girls in the company. I know everyone is really committing to every rehearsal. I'm really enjoying being a part of something that really works for something. I can imagine that the outcome of all of our hard work will be very rewarding.

The piece is very unique. Even though we are rehearsing with out music, the piece is very powerful. Once our music is added before our West Virginia show, I'm sure it will really come together. It's just turning out to be a very good experience.

Liz Abt Sunday 10 February 2008

We have found an ending for the group piece for the performance at the end of the month. There are some little things that I need to touch up on my own part. We really need to work on the "pretty piece". It will all come together in the end. I really can not wait till we perform at the end of the month. danah got another rehearsal assistant, because it was really difficult for me to learn couple of different parts and try and help danah with rehearsal stuff (taking notes and recording)...in danah's words I am dancing to much. So her second rehearsal assistant is April Grace and I think she is going to do a great job...she has a very keen eye. But yeah it will came together in the end.

Stacey Fernandez Sunday 17 February 2008

I have really enjoyed being a part of danah bella dance works! We've been working on a piece that will be performed in a few weeks in Huntington, WV. I'm very excited about this performance - not only is it my first with the company, but I am from West Virginia, so I'm happy I will get to perform in my home state! I think the piece is really coming along. Although it's been very time consuming, the whole process of making this piece has been great! I feel like I've learned a lot, and I really enjoy working with all the other dancers! Recently we were taught an older piece that will also be performed in WV. We refer to it as the "pretty dance." I really like this dance! The movement is a big contrast to the new piece we're working on, but it's a fun dance to do and I'm really excited about performing that one as well!

Liz Abt Monday 18 February 2008

Last Wednesday we learned the rest/went over the "pretty piece". A lot of my placements in the space were off, but I just realized that could have been from the video; the video was taped on an angle not straight on. For some reason that night I could not get a roll to the floor and my pass to get to my second partnering part. It was really frustrating...everyone was waiting for me...it really took me for ever to get it; it seemed like it at least. It might have been because I had a Spanish test just before rehearsal; but that is not really a good excuse. I still have a few kinks to work out, but I will get it.

Yesterday, we worked on the group piece. danah wanted to fix the ending and few other things in the beginning. Right now she is making it more for a stage to that we are ready to perform it for West Virginia which is coming up next week...I am so excited! We worked with a prototype music and I kind think it would be cool if mixed that one with the first one somehow. I really love to be apart of this piece and seeing it grow.

Laura Johnson Sunday 17 February 2008

We had our long rehearsal this weekend. 9:30- 6:00 proves to be a long day! However, I couldn't be more excited that we are really finalizing our piece. We ran it in costume yesterday and I finally felt like I really understood my motivation and my place in it. We have a show next weekend in West Virginia. I can't wait. The weekend should be a really good time to spend with the company and to PERFORM!

The piece is very unique. Even though we are rehearsing with out music, the piece is very powerful. Once our music is added before our West Virginia show, I'm sure it will really come together. It's just turning out to be a very good experience.

Laura Johnson Sunday 24 February 2008

We had our long rehearsal this weekend. 9:30- 6:00 proves to be a long day! However, I couldn't be more excited that we are really finalizing our piece. We ran it in costume yesterday and I finally felt like I really understood my motivation and my place in it. We have a show next weekend in West Virginia. I can't wait. The weekend should be a really good time to spend with the company and to PERFORM!

Liz Abt Wednesday 27 February 2008

Our first performance is this Saturday! I am super excited...we are leaving tomorrow morning for Huntington, WV. We have rehearsal tonight to run the show a few times. We had rehearsal over the weekend...Saturday was a little crazy. I cried, a costume went missed for 2.5, and Julie got hit when we did the fly. I cried because I was really frustrated with the "pretty piece" which we are know calling "Suzanne". I have been behind in a few parts, facings were off, and then I would start with the wrong foot on my pass with Laura. I felt like I was letting everyone down...so I cried. I think it was better that I got it out, because the passed few runs of that piece have been a lot better and I am not holding in those feeling which showed when I was dancing. We thought we lost a part of a costume and we were running around looking for it, but it ended up being with someone's stuff...it was funny after the fact. The first time that we ran the group piece with costume Julie got hit in the face...which never has happened before it was wired. I guess that it was good to get out those kinks before the show. Sunday Rehearsal was a lot better and ran pretty smooth. If you are in the Huntington area come to the show.

Laura Johnson Wednesday 5 March 2008

This weekend we performed in West Virginia. The theatre venue was very incredible. It was an old vaudeville theatre. Just performing in it was very inspiring. I felt like the company really got time to connect to each other. Sometimes being together in rehearsal doesn't give us a chance to get to know each other. I feel like this weekend provided us with time to do that.

We also taught master classes on Saturday. The girls were definitely energetic and hopefully they learned something new. It's always nice to work with kids

Liz Abt Monday 10 March 2008

The West Virginia performance went very well and was tons of fun. We performed in an old movie theater that the owner turned into a stage and she has three dance spaces...it one of the coolest spaces I have ever seen. I think a lot of us company members were jealous. The stage was not the best to dance on though; it had no give and it was a little bumpy which made it had to balance. We just had to adapt to it. I think we all did very well. I did mess up in the "pretty dance/Susan" piece but I don't think it was noticeable. It was lots of fun and I can not wait for our next performance.

Last Wednesday we had a photo shoot and I think we got some good shots; I can not wait to see what they look like. April Grace took the pictures...she is a very good photographer.

Liz Abt Tuesday 2 April 2008

After break we set the piece in the space for the April show. It turned out really neat in the space and the set is really cool too. I really like being able to use the whole space and having our fronts change all the time. It keeps us dancers on our toes and makes it more interesting for the audience. To see what I am talking about you should come to the show April 16th and 17th at 7:30.

We also preformed in the Women's History dance show...that was on March 26th and 27th. It went really well and if you were not there you missed a sneak pick of what is coming up in April.

danah also preformed in Louisville, Kentucky. She said that she got a very good responses...she got a standing ovation, a guy cried, and she got two gigs out of it. Which is awesome and so so exciting. until next time!

Liz Abt Tuesday 21 April 2008

I can't believe the season is over! The performance ,"dis/identification", last week went great; I have to say that opening night went a whole lot better than the second. I had some crazy energy the first night we performed ...I felt like I was jumping like crazy and breathing really heavy. It was so much fun to perform with an audience and a part of me wants to perform it again. If you did not make it...it played out like this: It was performed in the dance studio theater and we used the whole space (meaning the audience could sit where ever they wanted). We also had extras sitting at tables eating and having ridicules conversation while we were dancing. We all had to learn to block them out or they would throw us off. We all had to be prepared for not knowing where the audience is going to be, because having all those extra bodies in there gave it a different feel altogether...it really kept you on your toes while performing. I had so much fun being a part of the company. danah already knows this, but I am really thankful for her accepting me into her company; if I wasn't in her company I don't I would have excelled as much as I did this past year. Thanks danah!!!

Fall Semester 2007

Liz Abt Sunday 26 August 2007

My name is Liz Abt and I have been dancing since I was seven years old. I studied ballet at Cuppetts Performing Arts Center in Vienna, VA; through High School. And I got really big into modern dance when I came to Radford. Well to tell you the truth I started out as a Math major and a minor in Dance. I know they are polar opposites, but I have been singing and dancing since I was very young and math I am just good at. The reason when I picked math was because, a job right out of school. Also, I was always told to be practical and do what is going to get you money; well I was told that the majority of the time. One thing you get help is what you and passionate about. So here I am now a, senior, Dance major at Radford University...and with a minor in math. And I have this awesome internship with danah bella DanceWorks. We had your first meeting, Friday the 24th of August, to talk about rehearsal times and performances. I am so excited about working with danah bella this year. I really feel that working with her is going to help me be a stronger modern dancer. And I just can not wait to get started.

Stacey Fernandez 27 August 2007

Hello! My name is Stacey Fernandez, and I am a sophomore here at Radford. I’m from Bridgeport, WV where I studied dance with many different instructors around the area. People always ask me what type of dance I prefer, but I have a very hard time answering that question because I really do love watching and performing all types of dance. I love modern just as much as ballet, and I hate that dancers are always stereotyped based on the type of dancing they enjoy more. I love dancing at Radford! We have an amazing faculty and the department is very well-rounded! I’m getting ready to start my first season as an apprentice with danah bella DanceWorks. I’m really looking forward to starting rehearsals soon! Last semester I was really nervous about auditioning because, as a freshman, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. However, so far, I’m very happy to be an apprentice, and I anticipate it to be a lot of fun and a great experience!

Liz Abt Sunday 2 September 2007

This week only Amanda and danah rehearsed, because they are performing at JMU in October. I did go to the tail end of Amanda and danah's rehearsal and the duet is coming along very well. danah did ask me to come next week to press play and to take notes on the duet. It’s hard for danah to press play when she is in it. And it’s not like she can run into place because they start with the music. Next Sunday will be your first rehearsal with all of us well except Allison (she lives in Maryland); oh and that rehearsal is after danah and Amanda's.

Liz Abt Sunday 9 September 2007

danah still is looking for a rehearsal assistant. Therefore, I came to her and Amanda's rehearsal today to help danah out. They went though the duet several times. Also, danah went though her solo several times too. I took notes on what I saw that they needed to work on; which was not a lot since I don’t really know the piece that well. I video taped them and did the music... right now I am kind of like the temporary rehearsal assistant as well as being in the company. When they watched the video I took notes for danah; it’s hard to take notes on a dance when you are watching, you might miss something. The other rehearsal (the one with the rest of the company) was canceled, because danah is helping with the guest artist, Sherone Price, piece. I really do not know how danah does it all. She has her company, her piece for the department, and the west African piece. Sherone set a West African piece on nine of us dancers; one of them being me. Our rehearsals started last Sunday and our last rehearsal was yesterday. A lot of the rehearsals went late and we only had that week to work with him. If I was danah I would have done the same thing and give my brain somewhat of a rest. Everyone should come to Fall Dance Fest to see some West African and there will be some most excellent modern pieces, and a ballet piece. October 4th, 5th, and 6th...be there!

Liz Abt Sunday 18 September 2007

I was reading my last post and just to clarify African is still rehearsing. It just was our last rehearsal with Sherone...we are rehearsing with danah till after the shows/Fall Dance Fest.

danah bella DanceWorks, we had our first rehearsal Thursday 13th. The first thing danah gave us an image of what we would be portraying while dancing. We set a few phases…I think there was 6 all together. We also came up with our own phase danah told us a word and we had to write down the first three words that came to mind then dance it. And this weekend we had our all day rehearsals because Alison was in town; she lives in Maryland so she comes down once a month. Saturday, we showed the phases that we worked on to Alison and Julie (Julie was late on Thursday because she was still rehearsing with Deborah). danah and Alison had to make up there whole phase as well…the one with dancing the three words that come to mind. Then we all work on a phase but retro-graded it. And that was not as bad as I thought it would be. Retro-grade is where you start from where you need and then go back wards. Since we all were working together it was a lot easier. I think that was all we did with the “all” rehearsal. After, lunch danah rehearsed Amanda and Alison. I was there to do my Rehearsal Assistant duties. Which I think really helps me to watch just as well as dancing it. I am behind technique wise and I have not really danced with danah as long as some of these other ladies. So I think just doing all that I can for the company helps. Alison learned danah’s part for the duet because the company has a performance the week of Fall Dance Fest therefore only Amanda and Alison can go; all the rest of us have to be here for it. Alison learned danah’s part in 2 hours and 30 minutes. I was trying to learn it to and I still don’t have it. Alison did an awesome job this weekend. Amanda and Alison also ran another duet as well. On Sunday, we started setting the piece and it was sooo much fun. danah put a lot of the phases together just mix matched. Some people in unison and some have little solos. I am having so much fun and I am thrilled that I am working with danah and everyone else in the company; they all amazing dancers.

Oh, and the most awesome thing happened Natalie (she is in African with me and is an awesome person) can up to me last week and told me that her dad reads my posts. I was totally excited that I know of someone that reads them. Thanks, Natalie’s dad!

Liz Abt Monday 24 September 2007

This week we did not have rehearsal because danah is out of town. She went to California to preform...i think she performed her solo. Since we did not have rehearsal I went home for the weekend to see my mom, brother, dog, and my boyfriend. So yesterday on my way back to Radford I realized that I left all my ballet ger at home and I was just got on 81. So I had to turn back around and get back on 66...home is "nova". I tried to call home but no one was there and then my phone died... i was one happy camper...wOOt. After all that I really did not start leaving for Radford till 8. Therefore, I got in town around 12 and was way to tired to write. But I am sorry for not posting last night. I was going over what we set(dance piece) last week...I had all the pieces but I am not to sure I really got them all together. I am really glad we video taped it. I hope when we are altogether that it will come back to me...I sure it will though. Have a good week!

Liz Abt Sunday 30 September 2007

There was only one rehearsal this week that danah and Amanda practiced there duet. It went every well; the tension between the two of them is a lot better. Amanda also rehearsed danah's solo. Amanda is performing it in Petersburg. Amanda and Alison and performing there all the rest of us are involved in Fall Dance Fest. Which you should come to...This Thursday the 4th at 8pm, Friday the 5th at 8pm, and Saturday at 2pm. I will be performing in the African piece, danah's piece for the department is going to be performed, and Stacy is in Margaret's (Department Chair) piece. I saw Margaret piece today and it was so cute. Julie is in Deborah's and Laura is in Kyle's. There is a wide verity of dance in this show and you would get to see some of danah's work and us in other dance forms/other choreographer’s works.

Liz Abt Sunday 7 October 2007

Since Fall Dance fest was this week we did not have any big rehearsals. Fall Dance Fest went very well and I had an amazing time preforming in it...yeah African!!! danah and Amanda did rehears after 12:30 modern on Monday and Wednesday. Amanda and Alison performed in Petersburg on Saturday the 6th. And we, danah and I, were helping her get ready for that and she looked very good. I hope the prefomence went ok...I have not herd anything yet. We have another preformcen coming up next week at JMU...we are leaving Thursday the 11th for that and will be back Saturday the 13th. danah and Amanda will be preforming at JMU. And i will be doing my rehearsal assistant dueties. I very excited to be able to go.

Liz Abt Sunday 14 October 2007

JMU performance went really well. It was a lot of fun to hang out with dancers all weekend...dancers from JMU and RU. I am really glad that I got to hang out with dancers from RU that I never really hang out with and get to know them better. I really liked experiencing another Dance Department and Comparing. Also I was glad that I could see other works. Both RU and JMU did a wonderful performance. danah and Amanda did a wonderful job. It was wonderful to see them perform. Energy was wonderful between the two...lots of tension in the duet. danah's solo was wonderful...she is such an amazing dancer...so is Amanda. danah really uses everything that she has and I really suggest that you come and see her perform at some point. Then both are so good and I am so honored to be dancing with them.

Today we had a rehearsal with everyone. We had to watch a video to remember what we have done. We did change a few things to make the transitioning smother. I am having a few troubles with some of them movement and remembering what comes next. So I wrote done the movement after rehearsal, but there are a few things that I am still questioning. I will get. I just need to keep working hard. Like danah said at rehearsal today, “that looks hard."

Liz Abt Sunday 21 October 2007

We had rehearsal Thursday and this weekend. The piece is coming along very well. It has pretty much changed every time that we have done it, but that is all a part of danah's process. She dose not start with music; so just now we don't have a clue what we are gong to be dancing to yet. Which is not that bad, because I think it helps we stay together more and feel each others energy. danah starts out with several combinations, but them manipulates them to be her own and they end up being a completely different thing. One example we split up into groups and came up with a new combination based on our floor combination with out going to the floor. Then we showed our new one to danah and then she tweaked it; "can you get air here?"..."can you jump here?"

So on Thursday and today I was kind of getting down on myself and my not being able to get things as fast. That is one of my weakest things right now and that is something I am going to be working on with danah this season. Everyone is very nice and has been helping me; if I ask. It just makes my wonder what’s going to happen when I leave her company. I really glad that danah has taken my under her wing. I am a whole lot better from when I started this season with her and it’s only up from here.

Liz Abt Sunday 4 November 2007

Sorry I did not post last week. I have been really busy with classes. I have had some many quiz, test, and some papers thrown in there. This week i have a Spanish quiz, sociology quiz, and a presentation which also I have a paper due for that presentation as well. danah got back from Columbia College, South Carolina today she preformed down there and taught a master class. Amanda, Laura, and I met a couple of times so that Laura could learn a part to another piece and I forget its name its a really long one. The piece that Laura learned has four sections and she did an awesome job learning it. I took notes and learned it on the side lines; so that I know what is going on in the piece. Well i got to get back from my paper know...until next time.

Liz Abt Sunday 11 November 2007

danah also set a piece on some of the students down in SC...I was kind of out of the loop on that one. Rehearsal on last Thursday we just reviewed. I was really glad that’s all we did because I wasn't there when we went over it when danah want here; because I was in Cindy's show. danah, Amanda, Laura and I went over the piece that Laura leaned. I did get to go up and be Alison in a few parts...I know the piece by looking at but not really moving it through my own body so that was interesting. It just goes to show that having a job like being a rehearsal assistant u could really move up in a company...well if I did it perfectly that would look really good and made the director think twice. Today we learned some new movement and it’s really fast and lot of up downs. And my arms are killing me. I was last for rehearsal today...I took a nap which is one of the worst things that u could do before a rehearsal and I over slept my alarm...danah called me though. I am one of those people that is on the most part always really and hates being late for things. So I was rather mad at myself today, but what can you do...we are all just human. Oh I really need to go over this new movement again...I kind of have it, but I am defiantly missing a few steps. I will get it though; it takes me a bit longer but when I have it I really have it.

Liz Abt Sunday 29 November 2007

This piece has changed so much I do not even know where to begin. It’s gone up beat to kind of sad and slow, the formations, when dancers are coming on, and at one point it seemed that the piece was all done and then ended up totally different. It’s a little frustrating at times, but each choreographer works differently. And I know that working with her will really prepare me for the rest of my dance career. Tonight we had rehearsal and now danah is adding her self into the group piece. So I was doing her part and my own, but since I am doing both at the moment I am not really sure where I come in. But it will all come together in the end. We have no rehearsal on Sunday, but we do next Thursday and Sunday, and we are also rehearsing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of finals week. Until next time.