Students express stories through dance in A Heavenly View

ELEVATE, the annual performance by Foundation Dance Theatre, Lipscomb University Theatre's resident dance company, took the stage last weekend

Cate Zenzen | 03/09/2020

Foundation Dance Theatre, Lipscomb University Theatre’s resident dance company, performed its annual dance concert, ELEVATE, last weekend. The performance was in conjunction with invited professional choreographers and theatre dance classes. Foundation Dance Theatre features University students with a strong dance background and a passion for telling stories through movement. 

The annual show was directed by Leigh Anne Ervin and Kari Smith, instructors in the Lipscomb Theatre Department and experienced professionals in the performing arts industry. Concert choreography was by Ervin and Smith, as well as Maggie Pelton and Elise Hagen. 

This year’s theme, “A Heavenly View,” featured various dance styles including ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop, character dance and musical theatre. 

“Each piece in the concert had a perspective of otherworldliness -- whether that came through a specific story or a more abstract statement. Professional choreographers set pieces of all styles that told stories or revealed some part of the human experience,” said Ervin.

Made up of students from all classifications and majors, Foundation Dance Theatre holds auditions each fall semester. Many company members are dance minors and add weekly rehearsal to the dance classes they take as part of their academic coursework. As with all performing arts productions, the week before ELEVATE is called “tech week,” and consists of long hours of rehearsal with other production elements, like lighting and costumes. 

“My favorite part of the show is really the part of the process where we move into the theatre and start to shape the show as a whole. It is such a wonderful week where we add costumes, lighting, tech, and each of these pieces come to life in an amazing way,” said Smith. 

Ervin appreciated the community aspect of this year’s production. She said her favorite part was the finale, a piece she and Smith choreographed together. 

[The piece had] “such dynamic changes of energy and moments of incredible one-ness with the whole company. The fact that it featured the whole company made it special. The dancers are dedicated and work hard, so I love seeing them be powerful,” said Ervin.

“The dancers this year have been amazing to work with, and we really could not be more proud of their work, talent, and sweet spirits. I think everyone was inspired by the stories they told on stage through dance,” said Smith. 

ELEVATE 2020, A Heavenly View featured lighting design by Anne Willingham and Stephen Moss, stage management by Cooper Humphreys and student Hatty King, and film production by Melissa Forte, Sumner McMurtry and Mason Martin. 

Lipscomb University's Department of Theatre is committed to leading the future of arts education through rigorous training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and faith-focused community. With trained professional faculty and collaborations with local theatre companies, students receive a well-rounded, holistic education to thrive in an arts career. On stage, students join the next generation of artists who are cultivating the discipline and passion it takes to impact communities and make a difference in many lives around the world.