May 12, 2021 – The high energy and creativity of students in the Dance Theatre of Santa Fe (DTSF) will be on display in “Room to Dance”, the annual student-choreographed, student-produced performances that will be available in a free online Showpass video during the hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 11-12, 2021. To view Room to Dance, visit the Santa Fe College (SF) Fine Arts Department web page at sfcollege.edu/finearts.
“Room to Dance” includes eight dances in a diversity of styles including hip-hop, contemporary dance, tap, and musical theatre. One performance features a “Wild West” theme with elements of comedy.
A panel of Dance Program faculty members selects the dances to be included in the program. The faculty members then serve as mentors while the students develop the final versions of their dances.
“This is the second year that we’ve presented “Room to Dance” on video and we’re excited because we’ve learned so much!” exclaimed SF Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance Melissa Brenner, director of the production. “Future generations of dancers will need to be technically savvy as well as artistically prepared. Our students are using their own smart phones or video cameras to record and edit their performances. They’re also choreographing their dances, leading groups of their peers, choosing music, developing costume ideas and camera angles, listening to and acting on feedback they get from faculty members.” Guest speakers from SF’s departments of Digital Media and Graphic Design Technology, Technical Theatre (lighting), and Visual Arts advised members of DTSF on all aspects of video production.
The students were also required to take a course in Dance Composition or choreography. Brenner explained that the course was added to the curriculum as a requirement for students who want to become dance artists or continue their education as dance majors. “This course, and being involved in productions such as “Room to Dance”, will shape their careers as much as technical training does,” Brenner said. “Becoming a dancer involves critical thinking, creativity, artistry, vision and the skills to make your concept come to life. Our job in the Dance Program is to prepare students for all those things that are necessary for careers in dance and equally necessary for healthy living and engaged citizenship.”
“Room to Dance” is organized and sponsored by the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Department.
For more information about “Room to Dance”, call Melissa Brenner at 352-395-4188.