So You Think You Can Dance at NEIU? Dance Chance Redux

On Halloween night, the joy of the occasion doubled with the Ruth Page Dance Series' presentation of "Dance Chance Redux"- a rocking event comprised of beautiful performances from five promising choreographers who came from all across Chicago to share their talent.  

The show was moderated by Zachary Whittenburgh, and the presenting choreographers included Andrea Deline, Jamie Salas, Brian Gephart, Matt Pardo and NEIU faculty member Autumn Eckerman.

Andrea Deline, a Miami based choreographer and current apprentice of Inaside Chicago Dance, started the show with the act named "From Break to Fix."  The participating dancers included Iyani Herrera, Jenna Dillon, Natalie Williams and Allison Law who danced to the songs  "Stormy Weather," "These Arms of Mine," and "Everyday I Have the Blues." The theme was about a woman's journey in love with a man, encompassing denial, pain, anger, depression, redemption and acceptance. Deline's theater background was evident in her act as the performance flew like a play rhymed with jazz.

The next act, "More Than a Look," was choreographed by the Texas based choreographer and Inaside Chicago Dance apprentice, Jamie Salas, who also took part in the dancing along with Zada Cheeks, Annie Christianson and the choreographer Matt Pardo. The couples danced to the songs of Icelandic band Sigur Ross to present an intersecting dream sequence of the four lovers, and when the dream was over, only one couple succeeded to pursue their love interests while the other parted ways. Songs included "Milano," "Gobbledigook," and "Seaglopur." "Romp" was the third act choreographed by Brian Gephart, a North Carolina based dancer currently associated with Joffrey Ballet. His dancers were Derrick Agnoletti, Justine Humenansky, Graham Maverick and Allison Walsh, who gave a breathtaking performance of ballet to the orchestra of JS Bach, with costumes by Travis Hasley.

The fourth act was named "If at First..." and choreographed by New York based dancer Matt Pardo. He performed with fellow dancers Lori Crosthwait and the act's costume designer Stephanie Hilton. The act represented Pardo's various facets, posing questions about his inner dilemmas regarding his life and its problems and his desperation for answers. The final act was "2 Alarms" by Autumn Eckman, a Georgia based choreographer and NEIU faculty member who also designed costumes, and came as a surprise in terms of music and the settings. The music was a Middle Eastern classical piece composed by Joji Hirota, Peter Lockett and Amiina. Lindasy Frattare, Allison Law, Carrie Nicastro, Angela Palladini, Grace Whitworth and Natalie Williams danced to present a dream, its transformations and its eventual merging with the woken up reality. The exceptional lighting by Jacob Snodgrass also stood out.