Winthrop Dance Theatre’s upcoming concert is a collection of works that have been choreographed by faculty and guest artists. It will include several styles and feature Winthrop Students. One of these students is senior Dance and Economics double-major, Katelyn Arledge.
Arledge is from the Spartanburg, SC area and has been dancing since she was three years old. She was put into dance classes by her parents but soon found it to be her passion and she could not stop dancing. The dance classes she is currently enrolled in each bring her new challenges and opportunities to grow.
Arledge has performed in other Winthrop Dance Theatres, Student Showcases and “The Rite of Spring.” Rehearsals for her upcoming performance in Winthrop Dance Theatre are in full swing. One can assume that having to balance the stress of exams and schoolwork can be a nearly impossible challenge, but a seasoned performer like Arledge is able to pull it off.
“Rehearsals for Winthrop Dance Theatre can become exhausting at this time of the semester, but it’s very exciting,” Arledge said.
The show consists of eight different pieces choreographed by Winthrop’s faculty. Arledge is in two of them.
“The pieces I am in touch on giving women a voice and the obesity epidemic in America,” Arledge said. Arledge also mentioned that the show would incorporate “modern, ballet and an aerial piece.”
After graduation, Arledge still plans to keep close ties to dance. She hopes to hold a role in an administrative side of a dance company or arts organization. She believes it is hard to prepare dance majors for the professional world and gives credit to Winthrop’s dance program.
“Winthrop prepares us for the professional world by requiring us to educate ourselves on these various aspects through technique classes, required performance credits, choreography courses, pedagogy courses, a dance kinesiology course, dance history courses, and a careers course that further explores real world options,” Arledge said.
Winthrop Dance Theatre Concert opens on Thursday, Nov. 8 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 12. There will be a special outreach performance on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at 10 a.m. The performances will be held in Johnson Theatre. Tickets are $5 with a Winthrop ID and $10 for the general public. All seating is general admission. Arrive early to get the best seats
