The Naugatuck Valley Community College Dance Ensemble and SGA Terpsichorean Club will present its annual spring concert, “Our Stories, Our Words: A Dance Concert,” at 8 p.m. on Sat., April 28, in the College’s Mainstage Theater, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury.
The evening will feature modern dance, music and readings from The Book Thief and The Lovely Bones. Fifteen dancers will perform fourteen pieces.
“I’ve been handed a lot of very sophisticated dancers this year,” said Elena Rusnak, dance director at the College. “I’ve given our students music and readings from which to build structured improvisations. Their life experiences are the foundation of their work.”
According to Rusnak, the combination of autobiographical with biographical themes for choreography is gaining ground in the 21st century. Members of the NVCC Theater Department will read passages while dancers move in and out of characters as a reflection on the experiences.
“The dances are a blending of the personal with the collective unconscious of humanity,” said Rusnak. “It’s relating to the work that’s being read, interpreting it and making it relevant personally and collectively. I’m very proud of the work our students have done.”
Tickets will be available at the door; suggested donation of $10. For more information, contact Elena Rusnak at 203-575-8179.
Naugatuck Valley Community College was established in 1992 with the merging of Waterbury State Technical College and Mattatuck Community College as a public, two-year, associate degree granting, co-educational, non-residential institution. Approximately 11,000 degree and 5,000 non-degree students enroll annually in over 100 accredited and non-credit lifelong learning programs at the College to fulfill their educational goals. NVCC is one of 17 institutions governed by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. The College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education and several programs maintain specialized accreditations. The College is located on a 110-acre campus at 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, Connecticut, at exit 18 off Interstate 84 near the junction of Route 8 and in Danbury at 183 Main Street and WestConn. Visitnvcc.commnet.edu for more information.