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Michaela Alfano

Orchesis 2024 Captivates Audience

Orcheis 2024 concluded last weekend with two days of shows that were beautiful from start to finish. The performances truly showcased the students' talents as both dancers and choreographers. So many people played a role in making this show possible, from the people on stage to the crew doing the lights and the director of the show, Janet Schroeder. 


“Between those you see on stage and everyone offstage making the performance run smoothly, from August 26 until today, more than 40 people have directly contributed to this concert,” said Schroeder in her Director’s Note in the program. 


In case you missed the shows, here is a rundown of each piece and the stories the dancers told: 


Photo by Orchesis Dance Company


Torrent

Choreographer: Katherine G. Moore in collaboration with the performers

Performers: Brielle Decarolis, Fiona Minton, Hannah Moore, Olivia Peralta, Allyson Reich

Music: “30 4” by Michael Wall


This piece asked the audience to focus on movement in more than the traditional sense. 


“As you watch, look out for opposing movement qualities such as elasticity and collapse, expansion and contraction, pushing and releasing,” said Moore. 


This was a theme that could be seen even as the dancers were paired up in different combinations of duos, trios, and solo sections. Each move felt initial and allowed the dancers to shine while playing with the idea of movement. 


Uncover

Choreographer: Allyson Reich

Performers: Araceli Allo, Kaylen Brandt, Grace Frye, Iliana Horley, Stefaniia Minakova, Gillian Murray, Adia Szell

Music: “Escape Artist” by Zoё Keating


This piece was captivating from start to finish. The sharp movements to the exact beat of the music made it easy to consume. Even when the performers were all doing solo movements each of them felt connected to one another. 


The theme of the dance was finding individuality in uniformity, two opposing things. They worked in tandem as the dancers combined together for some movements but found their own strengths in others.


Polarized

Choreographer: Brielle DeCarolis

Performers: Fiona Minton and Hannah Moore

Music: “The Run” Tangerine Dream 


This piece was special because you could feel the bond between the two dancers as they moved around the stage. The duo was fun and engaging the whole time and the piece had a goofy element that they perfectly played into. 


They supported each other through motion but also feeling. DeCarolis wanted this piece to be playful, but also focus on how can you retain a friendship when far apart.


Moore and Minton in Polarized | Photo by Brielle DeCarolis


“Being a part of something so creatively enriching and being surrounded by people who love and support each other has made Orchesis such a safe space where students of all different backgrounds can come together and create something magical,” said Minton.


The Fight Within

Choreographer: Iliana Horley

Performers: Katalina Abell, Ava Lockette, Stefaniia Minakova, Allyson Reich, Aryaa Subedi

Music: “Lose You to Love Me (instrumental)” by Selena Gomez 


This dance centered on an internal struggle that we all face but how it is easier when we are surrounded by people we love. The dancers used beautiful lines and were soft through all of their movements which made the emotion of the piece that much stronger. They danced collectively even when in separate pairs. there was a clear line of storytelling throughout the routine 


Sangam

Choreographers: Sharvi Arora and Anin Nair

Performers: Anin Nair, Sharvi Arora

Music: “Dola Re Dola” by Shreya Ghoshal, “Pinga” by Shreya Ghoshal and Vaishali Mhade “Choli ke Peeche” by Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun


This piece was an exciting mix of Indian Classical dance, Bollywood, and Hip-Hop from start to finish and you could tell they were having fun as they danced. 


Sangam, meaning coming together, symbolizes the unity in female friendships and the confluence of different dance styles. 


Their isolations and movements were strong and captivating and it was a great way to honor not only their culture but the importance of female friendship. 


Kronia

Choreographer: Hannah Moore

Performers: Liz Railsback, Abigail Kallay, Brielle Decarolis, Maja Todorović, Olivia Peralta, Arieona Sanders

Music: “Francesca” by Hozier, “Empire Now” by Hozier, “Eat Your Young” by Hozier


The use of space, windows, and lines in this piece was very creative. The duo work, separate from the big grouping while still being a collective unit, was strong choreography. 


The storyline felt powerful not only through the movement but also through the portrayals of the dancers. The visuals they created were unique and controlled the stage well.


Photo by Fiona Minton 


“This was my first year choreographing as well and I was really nervous, but everyone really supports you,” said Moore. “Orchesis is an extremely supportive environment full of love and encouragement, really creating a safe space for people to be whoever they want to be. Choreographing is very fun and opens your mind to thinking and problem-solving new situations and issues in collaboration with your peers.”


Echos of Change

Choreographer: Grace Frye

Performer: Grace Frye

Music: “Divine Moments of Truth” by Akusmi


The way her movements built upon each other and melted into the next was so beautiful to watch. You could see the pure joy she had from dancing with each step she took. The silence as she moved before the music began was heavy as everyone was drawn into her movement.


“I’ve always felt that the dance community on campus is very special,” said Frye. “Each person who walks into Jannuzi Dance Studio brings their own background and relationship with dance, which makes the space so vibrant. What unites us all, however, is a shared commitment to keeping this community strong and thriving.” 


Marrow Beginnings; Nerve Endings

Choreographer: Maja Todorović

Performers: Kaylen Brandt, Meredith Bryant, Brielle DeCarolis, El Healey, Gillian Murray, Liz Railsback, and Allyson Reich

Music: “Asylum for Eve” Thomas William Hill, “Dragon Flies” Stefano Ruggeri, Insomnia (Ben Trigg)


The dancers' movements felt heavy as if someone else were controlling them. As the dance went on there started to be a lighter feel in both movements and the music showing they made it out of whatever they were going through. 


“Through the exploration of disability and embodiment of the entire range of emotion, the dancers find community with themselves and each other. This piece finds those moments of comfort— when you know you aren’t truly alone in your pain,” shared Todorović.


The dance showcased that very powerful message through each movement. 


Photo by Fiona Minton and Brielle DiCarolis


Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Goodnight

Choreographer: Abigail Kallay

Performers: Grace Frye, Charlie Holbrooks, Annika Pardee, Olivia Peralta, Arieona Sanders

Music: “Drive” by Burkhard Dallwitz, “Underground” by Burkhard Dallwitz, “The

Truman Show: Truman Sleeps” by Philip Glass, Valentina Lisitsa


This piece was super unique. The movements were sharp and hard to take your eyes off of. There was a very tense energy throughout the piece, the light and the music declaring that. It felt like the light was heavily used to convert their messages. The dancers created very pretty visuals through their poses and moves. Kallay wanted the dance to express “the shift to fluid movement and contact with one another” as we come to understand our consciousness.


Gathering to Disburse

Choreographer: Janet Schroeder, with contributions from the cast

Performers: full company

Music: “le Mans 66” by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders


This piece was fun to watch from the start to end with all the hoping and exploration of movement. You could tell everyone was having fun on the stage together. It was sweet to have a moment where all the seniors who were standing on the stage shared a moment together one last time before the rest of the cast joined them.


This year’s performance featured the largest cast Orchesis has had in the past four years, a testament to the growing strength of the dance community on campus. The dance program has grown under the guidance of guest artists, instructors, and student leadership. 


“Looking ahead, Orchesis will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2027, a milestone that reminds me of all the dancers who came before us and shaped this dance community into what it is today,” said Frye. “We all hope to continue the legacy of OWU dancers who have paved the way for us, and we’re proud to carry that tradition forward.”


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