many styles of dance that the students study and that are necessary for the modern professional dancer to be fluent in for a successful and long career in their area of expertise .
“ It offers a sort of ‘ buffet ’ of different styles , so there ’ s something for everyone ,” said Thacker .
Thacker also shares she is honored to have a piece curated for AU dance by Stuart Lewis , assistant director of Dance Kaleidoscope in Indianapolis . He is the guest choreographer in residence for the 2023-2024 school year . “ We will also have an excerpt from the ballet ‘ Paquita ’ that will be set on our dancers by the Director of Ballet Theatre Carmel , Ms . Jane Hachiya Weiner .”
Next on the schedule for the sixth year is Diversity Dance Festival 2024 on Tuesday , April 9 , 2024 . This year ’ s offerings include : Tuesday , April 9 , 4:30 p . m . to 6:15 p . m ., Master Class in the KWC Dance Studio at AU , ‘ Bollywood Beats ' ( Bhangra and Bollywood ). Affiliated with the Indy Dance Academy , they offer cardio fitness and dance classes for kids and adults in various Bollywood and Indian folk dance forms .
“ It ( Diversity Dance Festival ) was founded by myself ( Christine Thacker ) and professor Erich Yetter , and is the only festival of its kind for dance in Madison County .” Thacker shares how excited they are to offer classes that are open to the community ( ages 12 + for classes ). Alongside the community classes that happen on campus the participants will have the opportunity to perform a free performance and partake in an educational discussion panel .
This year ’ s Diversity Dance Festival lineup also includes :
• Professor Stafford Berry of I . U . Mr . Berry is certified in the Umfundalai Technique and Director of the Berry and Nance Dance Project . ( Performance in York Hall , April 11 , 2024 )
Forum Speakers currently include ( subject to change ) on April 9 , 2024 : Sarah Sigman : “ MJ : The Musical ,” Broadway NYC , Chandra Moss Thorne , Professor of Dance Swarthmore , and Nicole Clarke Springer , Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago , Illinois .
The topic for this year ’ s forum is “ Dance in Color : Curating Our Future … How it Was , How it Is , What ’ s Next ,” and focuses on generational experiential differences for the professional BIPOC performer . Classes take
It ( Diversity Dance Festival ) was founded by myself and professor Erich Yetter , and is the only festival of its kind for dance in Madison County .
CHRISTINE THACKER ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF DANCE AT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC ,
THEATRE AND DANCE AT ANDERSON UNIVERSITY
Anderson Madison County Visitors Bureau | 17