PRESS RELEASE: OCTOBER 19, 2023
FloArts presents “Dance Choreography Gala: Pulse”
Florida School of the Arts presents "The Dance Choreography Gala: Pulse" October 27-29.
Florida School of the Arts presents a dance concert that celebrates the creative voices of student choreographers. The essence of Pulse, that is life’s rhythm, human experience, and imagination is explored through a diverse range of dance styles. Viewers will enjoy and resonate with the artforms of contemporary dance, jazz, tap, and hip hop.
The show runs October 27-29 on the FloArts main stage, with evening performances at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Admission is $10. FloArts is located at the St. Johns River State College Palatka Campus.
According to dance faculty Andrea Montez and Jessica Mayhew-Borrero, this production centers around the creative work and application of student choreographers. Mirroring the professional field of dance, student choreographers submit their dance pieces to an adjudication panel made up of guest artists, FloArts faculty and staff. From this process dance pieces are selected to be presented in the Dance Choreography Gala. Student choreographers receive mentorship from directors and dance faculty. Throughout this creative process, students receive hands-on experience in the production planning and design elements, such as lighting, costume, and sound design.
In addition to student choreography selections, the concert will also include guest artist and faculty choreography. Guest artist and FloArts alumna, Amaani Grant, is a dance educator and choreographer working professionally in the Jacksonville area. Grant has created an original work that encompasses the pulse of life and community. Dancers will engage viewers with vibrant, dynamic movement through intricate footwork set to a pulsing tempo. Grant’s high energy piece will be the closing number of the show.
Student choreographers include: Alexis Brockway, Shelby Howell, Luke Keeley, Ian Leduc, Reid Norris, and Caleb Urbistondo.
The full cast of dancers includes FloArts dance majors, musical theatre majors and acting majors. Cast: Eric Barnum, Alexis Brockway, Stevie Bush, Kaylee Cravey, Elisa Crivelli, Christian Davis, Jordan Fletcher, Jalen Hardy, Cassidy Heath, Alex Heck, Shelby Howell, Teoman Karaagac, Brandall Kearse, Luke Keeley, Lorelai Kissling, Ian Leduc, Farentino Lennox, Charlie Mack, Ciara McCarthy, Makari Nealy, Noah Perez, Javier Pinto, Maggie Rashaw and Caleb Urbistondo.
Florida School of the Arts, serving the entire state of Florida, is part of the academic and administrative structure of SJR State and awards associate degrees in acting, dance performance, musical theater, stage management, theater technology, graphic design/new media and studio art. For more information, call (386) 312-4300 or visit https://www.sjrstate.edu/floarts.
"The Dance Choreography Gala: Pulse" production centers around the creative work and application of student choreographers.