Over the past month, arts shows ranging from guerilla theater to classical music have enlivened the Tufts campus. This weekend, Jumbos will be treated to the Sarabande Supershow, one of Tufts' most revered dance showcases. It is a program distinguished by professional-level dancing and a catchy score, as well as a group of dancers who are truly passionate about their art.
The Sarabande Supershow will be performed by 19 women. This number represents only a portion of the troupe since many Sarabande members are currently studying abroad. All of the dancers are technically trained and must go through an audition process before joining the team. Once the dancers are invited to join Sarabande, they form a cohesive and supportive group. According to Sarabande director, senior Marissa Pierce, all of the members become close friends after working together on countless practices and performances.
The energy of a close-knit group of friends is clearly visible throughout the performance. There is an ambiance of fun and lightheartedness to the dancing that doesn't sacrifice the quality of the movement or the gravity of the performance. The opening number, danced to "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, indicates the playfulness with which the members of Sarabande approach the art of dance.
According to Pierce, the performance's diversity ensures there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Not only does the group practice a variety of styles, including modern, ballet, jazz and lyrical, but the music is incredibly varied. Artists vary from Tegan and Sara and Death Cab for Cutie to Madonna and Imogen Heap.
Senior Kathryn Maus is especially proud of the piece that she choreographed, the number set to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the movie musical "Hairspray," which included all of the Sarabande performers.
"[It was difficult] to get all 19 dancers to rehearsal as well as figure out formations for that many people," she said.
The most impressive aspect of the show is that each dance contains a majority of the dancers, and there is never a sense that one performer shines above the rest.
At the same time, each dance has its own unique vision and expression, because each number is choreographed by a different member of the group. The choreographers for this show demonstrate their abilities as dancers while simultaneously showcasing their skills in creating movement for others.
Some of the dancers also contributed to the production of their performance. A lot of lighting tricks are employed to visually enhance the dancing and contribute to the overall meaning of the numbers. All of these aspects, combined with carefully designed costumes, produce a dance concert that is a must-see for Tufts students.
The Supershow incorporates many other dance groups on campus, including the Bhangra troupe and Spirit of Color. This amalgamation of groups creates a two-hour visual mix of dance that viewers certainly will never find boring or repetitive. Maus hopes the audience will view the show as an "artistic outlet" for each of the dancers.
Through movement, facial expression and energy, the dancers emphatically convey their love and passion for dance to the audience.
Pierce encourages audience participation in the show. Rather than having a quiet theater like a traditional dance recital, Pierce said, "Dancers love it when people cheer."
The Sarabande show takes place tonight in Cohen Auditorium at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and there is only one showing.
