Creations Dance Company, along with 13-year-old guest performer Takiyah Townsend from Syracuse, will present its 26th annual show-"Breadth of Movement"-on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in Syracuse University's Goldstein Auditorium.
"The idea behind 'Breadth of Movement' is to convey dance's influence on communities and dance's ability to surpass cultural borders," said Creations' co-coordinator Gaynor Hall, a senior broadcast journalism and African American studies major. "The specificity of each individual movement comprises a larger composition that links communities through the commonality of movement. Though each dance is different, the power of movement reaches all."
In a concert that moves from seduction to faith, rivalry to mourning, and oppression to glee, the group's performances underscore dance's ability to convey diverse messages through movement-a language that is rooted in a myriad of cultures, while having the unique ability to transcend race, gender and class.
This year's show consists of 19 pieces in this year's show, including "Beethoven's Fifth," a funky ballet; "Four Women," a modern piece set to Nina Simone's song that explores the use of stereotypes; and "Tap!", a multi-media tribute to Gregory Hines.
Guest performer Takiyah Townsend's natural ability and passion for dance was discovered last year by Creations members who volunteer at the Franklin Magnet School, where Townsend was a student. She currently attends Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse.
Practicing more than 15 hours per week, members of Creations uphold the company's reputation of quality as the oldest dance troupe on campus. Giving everyone a voice, the group takes pride in its tradition of allowing all members the opportunity to choreograph dances, while relying on the company's collaborative vision for others.
Creations has maintained its presence on campus since 1977, when 10 African American women founded The Third World Dance Troupe under the umbrella of the Student African American society. Changing the group's name to Creations Dance Troupe in 1980, the performers began incorporating a myriad of dance styles.
"While Creations began as a vehicle for African American dance traditions at SU, we now aim to promote the uniqueness of African American dance, while showing its relationship to dance styles of other communities," said Hall.
Creations Dance Company now performs African dance, jazz, ballet, modern, tap, hip-hop, lyrical and salsa meringue.
The performance of "Breadth of Movement" is open to the public. Tickets are $3 and are available at the Schine Box Office.
