Dance transcends all seasons at Northwestern, as Rush, Dancing with the Profs and NW’s Best Dance Crew cover the calendar from August through May. A new dance experience will be added to the list on Thursday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. when Dance in Company, a group from the University of Iowa’s dance department, comes to campus.
Dance in Company is a collection of 12 undergraduate and graduate students that performs a wide variety of styles, from modern and jazz dance to classical and contemporary ballet. Their director, Eloy Barragán, has danced with multiple well-known ballet companies, such as the New York Theater Ballet and the Washington Ballet, as well as companies in Mexico City and Europe. His choreographed works have been presented in countries all over the world.
The group came to Orange City six years ago and will be returning with a new set of routines.
“They were great last time they were here,” Janine Calsbeek, a member of the Orange City Arts Council, said. “We cover music, theater and art well with what we bring in, but it’s fun to have dance too.”
The Orange City Arts Council invited the group to come back to give a performance as well as presentations at three local elementary and middle schools. They will also offer masters classes for teens and adults in the England Theatre from 4 to 5 p.m. for $5 dollars, or $6 if purchased the day of the workshop. Tickets can be purchased at NW’s theater department.
“That’s what the Arts Council does,” Calsbeek said. “We educate students about the arts and offer experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Freshman Morgan Stahl is excited that the Council brought a ballet group to town.
“It’s my favorite type of dance,” Stahl said. “I love ballet and modern because it’s so expressive. It’s not just entertainment, it tells a story.”
Stahl thinks more dance productions would be a good addition to NW and Orange City.
“There are a lot of things words can’t express and dance can,” she said. “I know a lot of people on campus love dance. Whether they get involved or not, they enjoy watching it.”
