Rowan dancers explore various concepts of 'play'

Guided by an acclaimed New Jersey choreographer, student dancers at Rowan University examine ideas connected to the world of “play” in an original dance theatre work, part of the current main stage season by the university’s Department of Theatre & Dance. The premiere production of PLAY takes to the Tohill Theatre stage December 10 – 13, Thursday-Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm on the Glassboro campus.

Guest artist Claire Porter leads this exploration into a variety of concepts and questions related to the idea of “play” and invites the audience to join the adventure. The show combines movement, music and language in this investigation, presenting it in three distinct sections: from the perspectives of youth, adults and society. The work asks “What is play?” and addresses how people design the rules of play, how they balance structure and spontaneity, discipline and freedom within that idea.

Porter has taken this theme, suggested by dance colleagues from Rowan, and developed a performance piece in collaboration with her cast. The process has been organic, thought-provoking and fun in its own way, according to the choreographer.

“We are creating something about play through play,” she states.

The student cast features Kerry Baglivio, Brittany Cinaglia, Brianne Crines, Jen Cook, Laura Donnelly, Carly Dufford, Brittany Griffiths, Stephanie Keller, Courtney Mackey, Michele Mizeski and Karen Pereny.

A resident of Teaneck, NJ, Porter is the recipient of several NEA choreography fellowships, NJSCA choreography fellowships (most recently in 2008), Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation awards and commissions from DTW's First Light Project, The 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Festival and Art Matters. She has an M.A. in Dance from Ohio State, a B.A. in Mathematics, is a Laban Movement Analyst and is represented by PENTACLE/DanceWorks. Porter has performed her work, PORTABLES, in Germany, Holland, England, Latvia and Korea, as well as such New York-area venues as Danspace at St. Mark's Church, PS 122, Joe’s Pub, The Joyce Theater, 92nd Street Y, Town Hall, The Bottom Line, The NY Horticulture Society, Liberty Science Center and NJPAC. She has appeared at the ADF, the Lucille Ball Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, Florida Dance Festival, Kennedy Center and Woolly Mammoth Theater in Washington DC, The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard and others. She recently performed in Mikhail Baryshnikov’s 2009 GALA, set a solo on Kansas City Ballet and is currently performing Namely, Muscles at festivals, conferences, theaters, medical schools and universities around the country.

Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $10, general admission; and $5 for seniors, non-Rowan students, Rowan staff & alumni. Tickets for Rowan students are free with valid ID.  For information and advance tickets, visit www.rowan.edu/theatredance or call the box office at (856) 256-4545.