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W&L Students and Alumni to Perform Aerial Dances in New York City June 12

On June 12, in New York City, student members of Washington and Lee University’s Repertory Dance Company will join W&L dance alumni to perform two aerial dances at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre, a state-of-the-art performance space. The show is at 7:30 p.m., and a reception will follow.

“This is an amazing opportunity for a collaborative experience,” said Jenefer Davies, associate professor of dance, director of the dance program and artistic director of the company. “It is an opportunity to pass down choreography across six class years and introduce our newest dance students to our seasoned dance alums. It’s every dancer’s dream to perform on the Ailey Theater stage and we are honored by the invitation.”

In addition to two aerial dances choreographed by Dana Fredericks, W&L Class of 2012, the performance will feature three modern dance works choreographed by Davies and two dances choreographed by guest artists.

The performance will feature rising senior Lisa Stoiser, rising sophomore Elliot Emadian and rising senior Jillian Katterhagen, plus alumni Stephanie Brown (Class of 2011), David Doobin (2011), Dana Fredericks (2012), Tory Dickerson (2012), Jennifer Ritter (2013), Erin Sullivan (2013), Kelsey Witherspoon (2014) and Southern Virginia University alumnus Chanson Hardy.

Rehearsals for the concert took place in Lexington and in Manhattan throughout the winter and spring terms. Tom Lovell, associate director of alumni affairs at W&L, organized the event with New York City Alumni Chair Daniel Grattan (Class of 2000) and Josh Bareno (2013). Owen Collins, associate professor of theater at W&L, designed the lighting and sound, and Jessica Miller, costumer at W&L’s Lenfest Center for the Arts, created the costumes.

Tickets are available online. Alumni from the Classes of 2009 to 2014 may purchase discounted tickets.

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