Montclair State University Department of Theatre and Dance to Present DANCE COLLAGE 2016, 4/27-5/1

Peak Performances' College of the Arts division and the Department of Theatre and Dance at Montclair State University announce Dance Collage 2016, with performances April 27-May 1 at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University. Dance Collage is an annual tradition at Montclair State, featuring choreography by top students in the Dance Division.

According to Dance Collage 2016 directors Maxine Steinman and Kathleen Kelley, both professors in the Department of Theatre and Dance, in addition to the student-choreographed works, the program includes two pieces by dance faculty members Christian von Howard and Jessica DiMauro, and one piece by guest artist Pat Graney.

Although the concert primarily focuses on modern dance, there is one tap dance piece, created and performed by Daniel Padierna. Padierna is a junior dance major who is choreographing for Dance Collage for the first time. His piece, titled "Bang Bang", is his reaction to the stories of mass shootings that have become commonplace in recent years. According to Padierna, "Guns have a percussive sound and they vibrate when you pull the trigger, so I decided to use tap to manipulate sound, effort, and timing in my piece." He continued, "The experience of choreographing 'Bang Bang' was a long effort, but I learned a lot about taking chances while working on it. I think it is great to not be set on one idea or thing, as new concepts can develop into something much bigger."

Performance dates and times are April 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30 p.m.; April 30 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 p.m.; and May 1 at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium at the northeast end of Life Hall. Due to construction on campus, please contact the box office in advance for walking directions and questions regarding accessibility.

Montclair State University is located at 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey 07043. Tickets are $15; admission is free for undergraduate students with a valid Montclair State University ID and are available at the box office, www.peakperfs.org, or by calling 973-655-5112.

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