A Kaleidoscope of Dance

The Saint Mary’s Dance Company celebrates its 20th year of productions with this week’s performance of Kaleidoscope. A shared showcase of dance choreographed, performed, and produced by Saint Mary’s students, the production features new works by members of the graduating class of 2017 and professional guest choreographer Byb Chanel Bibene.

The senior choreographers are Vanessa Bass, Kathryn Carero, Stephanie Coffelt, Rachel Garcia, Samantha Shratter, Riley Taylor, and Lexi Whaley. These seniors have been a part of the SMC dance company since their freshman year, learning and growing through their involvement with the company. “I have found myself as a dancer in this community,” said Taylor ’17. “ I do what I want without judgment and have developed my own personal voice.” Taylor also said that “[she] knows the history of [her] female rebel modern dance pioneer predecessors and [is] driven by their same desires for change in this society but in [her] own way.”

“As the director of Kaleidoscope, I am deeply proud of the work these artists are presenting. It is exciting to support young artists in affirming their own creative voices, and to bear witness to their fearless and curious process of finding out what they want to say in the world,” said Kaleidoscope concert director, Shaunna Vella. “These choreographers are eager to take on issues that are important to them while both challenging and entertaining the audience. The diversity of the choreographers, dance styles, and dancers is a beautiful reflection of the Saint Mary’s College community and will bring the audience so much joy.”

The Kaleidoscope student dance showcase runs Nov. 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. and with two performances on Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the LeFevre Theatre. Tickets are $7 for general admission, and are free for SMC students. Purchase tickets online in advance.