VALDOSTA – Unbound.

Valdosta State University Repertory Dancers have long been unbound in their decades-old history. Unbound in the imaginations and skills of the choreographers. Unbound in the physical abilities and grace of the student dancers.

“Unbound” is the title and overarching theme of the 2019 VSU Repertory Dancers show scheduled for four performances this week.

With eight years on the VSU Theatre & Dance faculty, Sarah Wildes Arnett is the senior dance faculty member. She said the dance concert features a combined total of eight works by her and fellow faculty choreographers Melissa Pihos and newcomer Nina Moshman.

Moshman was hired late this summer after the departure of Geoffrey Reynolds. She “teaches various dance techniques, pedagogy and history,” according to program notes. “Before joining VSU, she taught several courses in dance technique, history and choreography at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she completed her master of fine arts in choreography. Nina also holds a dual bachelor of arts in dance and psychology from Muhlenberg College, Penn.”

She said she sees choreography and performing arts as a “vehicle for social change.”

Arnett said the eight dance pieces reflect a broad range of styles from expressive, abstract to narrative.

Pihos said her work, “Accept, Adjust and Adapt” is inspired by Dr. Mark Faux who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Faux composed the music and the work includes live dancing on stage as well as video interview excerpts between Pihos and Faux, she said.

In total, 35 students perform in the eight choreographed works, Arnett said.

“Our students had opportunities to step into a multitude of dance genres and styles as well as choreographic approaches in preparing for this performance,” the choreographers said in a group artistic statement. “They have explored concepts and inspiration over topics such as relationships, personal identity, disease, tragic loss and other more abstract ideas as well. It is our goal as a program to provide ample opportunities for our students to experience dance in all its capacities, truly unbound from a singular concept of what dance is and allowing them to experience all of what dance can be.”

DANCERS: Laura Avila Rozo, Jada Bartley, Devin Berry, Corentin Coadou, Caitlyn Dardar, Akira Gilmore, Meredith Reitz, Isaiah Turner, Margaret Ann Cosper, Marisa Lauer, Olivia Rosenthal, Alexandra Seelmeyer, Emma Singer, Katie Earle, Deonna Francois, Shada Harris, McKenzie Manor, Lasana Murphy, Armisya Randolph, Rachel Tessin, Kassidy Wheelis, DeeDee Burton, Shadiah Edwards, Erykah Finklea, Tarika Holland, Cassady Lake, Tiana Larmond, Presley Lovins, Isabel Markowski, Lasana Murphy, Taylor Sanders, Laura Avila-Rozo, Emma Singer, Melissa Pihos, Zachary Price, Jamerial Bowers, Kayla Bradley, Tory Hammond, Myra Larkin, Makaela Tubbs, C’Praya Wright.

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SHOWTIME

Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance presents “Unbound.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 17-19.

Where: Sawyer Theatre, Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

More information: Call (229) 333-5973 or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts.