Lipscomb presents Elevate, a dance concert, Dec. 4-6
Lacey Klotz |
As Lipscomb’s 2015-16 theater season continues, this next production provides the audience an alternative to its traditional singing and acting format.
On Dec. 4-6, Lipscomb University’s resident dance company, Foundation Dance Theatre, presents ELEVATE, a dance concert, at 7:30 p.m. in Lipscomb’s Shamblin Theater.
ELEVATE features both Lipscomb students and local professional dancers telling stories through movement and various styles of dance. 
From a modern piece with an African dance flair, contemporary ballet, classic musical theatre dance, "old school" hip hop to hard-hitting jazz, tap and story-telling lyrical, each piece showcased in ELEVATE represents its choreographer's specific point of view - whether the objective is to tell a story, physicalize the music or simply to entertain.
Directed by Kari Smith and Leigh Anne Ervin, adjunct professors and co-founders of the Foundation Dance Theatre, ELEVATE shakes up Lipscomb’s 2015-16 theatre season and helps to further launch Foundation Dance Theatre with its second performance as a dancer training institute.
Students from Lipscomb’s College of Entertainment & the Arts will participate in the performance with roles as dancers, stage managers, lighting and costume designers.
Students will also have a unique opportunity to share the stage with professional dancers and choreographers from the Nashville area.
Tosha Pendergrast, a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer in Nashville will perform in ELEVATE and Curtis Reed, another Nashville professional, has 
choreographed a dance for Lipscomb's FDT.
Another highlighted piece is one Kari Smith calls the ‘Friendship Dance’ and is choreographed by Smith to Ray LaMontagne’s “Let It Be Me.”
“This piece features two sets of friends who are friends in real life and it is their friendship journey in which I am highlighting,” said Smith. “These individuals are working with me to help create the story we want to tell in that piece.”
Other song selections for ELEVATE include an a cappella version of "Royals," a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "Atlantic City," a medley of fun 90s hip hop songs and Beyoncé.
“There is a lot of heart in this show, and I think the audience will see the vulnerability of the creative team as well as the communicative brilliance of the dancers,” said Ervin. “Even the technical elements of the show promise to be impressive. The lighting designers have been working for weeks already to find ways to creatively highlight the music as well as the intent of each piece.”
Foundation Dance Theatre expands the training of Lipscomb students interested in performing dance. FDT hosts auditions every semester for those interested, and all interested may apply.
Tickets are $17 for individuals, $12 for local university faculty and $5 for students of any age. Tickets can be purchased at the Lipscomb Box Office, by calling 615.966.7077 or online at www.lipscomb.edu/theatre.