Union’s dance residency highlights contemporary dance

October 16, 2024

Updated: October 16, 2024

SCHENECTADY —⁤ Abby‍ Wilder, a senior at Union ⁤College, initially thought dance would be a minor part of her college‍ journey. However, it has become ⁣a significant part of her life, providing her with a therapeutic⁣ outlet amidst⁣ her academic pursuits.

“Dancing for ‌12 hours a week on top of my‍ coursework is something⁤ I never imagined I’d do. ⁢But it’s the highlight of my day and it’s ⁣truly therapeutic for me,” Wilder shared.

Wilder, an Ithaca native majoring in‍ math and sociology and minoring in data analytics and dance, is among several Union students chosen ⁤to dance with ⁣Eisenhower Dance Detroit during its residency at‍ the college, starting next‌ week.

From Tuesday to ⁣Friday, the⁣ modern dance company will conduct lectures/demonstrations, movement workshops, and masterclasses at Union College, Schenectady High School, Skidmore College, and other ⁤venues.‌ The residency will conclude⁣ with a performance at The Egg in Albany on Friday.

Stephanie Pizzo, the dance company’s artistic director, has always been passionate about connecting with communities through dance.

“I find inspiration in others ⁤who share the same love for movement. It doesn’t ⁤necessarily ⁢have to be dance, just a love for movement, and as humans, we all love to move. We know it’s good for us,” Pizzo expressed.

Pizzo, one of the original members of the Detroit-based company, took‍ over from⁤ founder ⁤Laurie Eisenhower eight seasons ago. Eisenhower was a longtime mentor to⁣ Pizzo and introduced her to contemporary dance.

“Contemporary dance is ever-evolving. It’s not ⁣the same style that‍ we were dancing ⁣back‌ in the ’90s,” Pizzo explained. “It’s always influenced ⁣by other ⁤dance styles as well. So there was a time where the ballet technique was really infused ‌in the ‌contemporary [dance form], and then it became more of an urban style.

“It truly is an ‌art form of creative expression. So ⁢each⁤ unique individual that ‍is living their life in the ‌present, and everything that’s happening⁤ around us, is really what is directing ⁤the style of contemporary dance.”

Wilder was new to this style when she started⁢ at ‌Union. She’d previously⁢ studied ballet, tap,‌ jazz,⁤ and lyrical, but has ‌enjoyed the ⁣challenge of learning a‍ new style. It’s part of what made her audition for the Eisenhower residency last month.

The auditions were held via Zoom. Following that, members of the dance company traveled to ‌Union for a weekend of rehearsals for a ⁣piece ⁢called ‌“State of Mind” choreographed by⁤ Pizzo.

“I was really nervous going into‍ it because⁣ growing up as a dancer I always got⁢ the‌ sense that working with a professional company⁣ would be super ⁤intimidating,⁤ super harsh,” Wilder admitted.

However, it‌ turned out to be an affirming and intense ‌experience.

“They gave ‍a‌ lot of really helpful critiques, but what I wasn’t expecting is they also gave a lot of positive feedback, which was ⁣very‌ helpful and made me feel a lot more confident in what I was ‌doing,” Wilder said.

“State of Mind,” is ⁣a serious piece that Pizzo choreographed during the pandemic.

“We just kind of had this sense⁣ of fear of the unknown,” Pizzo said.

Many‌ of the movements reflect the fear and restlessness that ‍seeped into daily life.

“I’ve⁤ never been‌ in a dance where I’m supposed to channel my anxiety and⁤ my stress. And ⁤this has been a very stressful term for me, so it’s actually been an incredible outlet. Normally the dances I’m in are either super light-hearted and‍ fun ⁤or a little more morose, but usually not tense,”‍ Wilder said.

The piece‍ also challenges ⁢the‍ dancers with stillness.

“There’s a lot‍ of being still, which I think by nondancers ‍gets discounted as not being movement, but I have to actively be counting, and simultaneously⁣ be thinking about what I need ⁣to do next⁣ in 16 ‌counts,” Wilder said.

In the lead-up to the performance the Union students rehearsed weekly, usually with Laurie Zabele Cawley, the‍ college’s interim ⁤director of dance, who previously danced for Eisenhower.

“She was a professional that I admired and‍ idolized for many years,” Pizzo⁢ said.‌ “It’s been really fun to reconnect with⁣ her.”

The company’s schedule over the next week is fairly intensive, with⁢ dancers working with elementary-age students up to senior citizens.

“This, I think, might be one of the most rigorous ⁤schedules we’ve had,” Pizzo said. “But I think ⁢it’s really important if you’re going to be in a community to try to touch as many ⁣people as you can.”

Some⁤ of the workshops are open ⁣to the public, including a class for⁤ adults‍ and seniors at SPAC’s School of the Arts, as well as a masterclass and lecture at Union.

“Come with an open mind and prepare to have some fun,” Pizzo said. “[What we’re] trying to do is help them ‌understand the process of how we create‌ and how simple⁤ it‍ is, and it’s achievable for anybody⁢ to⁢ flex their creative muscle and really just have some‌ fun.”

Beyond flexing ‌her creative‌ muscles, working with⁤ Eisenhower Dance has reaffirmed Wilder’s love of dance.

“This experience alongside ‍all my other experiences of dance at Union has ⁢made me realize that after graduating from college, I⁣ can’t ⁢not dance,” Wilder said.

Here’s a look at the schedule of events⁤ that are ⁢open to the public:

Thursday, Oct. 17

A mixed-genre exploratory⁤ class for adults and seniors at SPAC’s School of the Arts from 12:45 to 2 p.m.
An open masterclass‍ in Union’s‌ Henle Dance Studio from ⁤6 to 7:15 p.m.
A lecture/demonstration in Union’s Henle Dance Studio from ⁣7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 18

From 7:15 to 7:45 ⁤p.m.,⁢ Cawley and Pizzo will give a talk about the company and the evening’s program. The 8 p.m. performance will feature ⁤“Legacy Island” by Filipino Norbert⁤ De La Cruz III; “En-code” by Australian disabled ⁣choreographer Marc Brew; “Hyper” ⁣by hip-hop ballerina‌ Micaela Taylor; and “See Me”⁢ by the athletic Christian Denice. “State ‌of Mind” will close the evening. Tickets for⁤ the performance are $35 and $45. For information, visit theegg.org.

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