Contemporary dance ensemble Synapse Dance Theater at Santa Monica College will present a program of new work next weekend, Nov. 5 and 6.
Performances will be held at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center on Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street.
The concert repertory includes Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary Modern Dance, Contemporary Jazz/Modern, Hip Hop/Jazz, House, and Punking/Wacking.
The program will feature works by Synapse Artistic Directors Jae Lee and Roberta Wolin-Tupas, as well as guest artists Jackie Lopez and Lauren Thompson Hall, and faculty choreographers Ron Brown, Angela Jordan, Denise Leitner and Karen McDonald. Also creating new repertory are student choreographers Alex Ayon, Joshua Bergeron, Autumn Randolph and Stacy Strickland.
Lee, a professional dancer and full-time professor at SMC, has choreographed a contemporary ballet piece, “Glow from the Dark Side.” The dance reflects the idea that everyone has a dark side, but dance makes a person radiant.
Wolin-Tupas, a critically acclaimed choreographer, is presenting “Beneath the Surface.“ This modern dance piece is inspired by the Chilean miners who endured 69 days 2,300 feet beneath the earth’s surface following the collapse of the San Jose Copper Mine on Aug. 5, 2010.
Lopez is a professional dancer, choreographer, and cultural educator. She is a returning guest artist to Synapse who has choreographed a 90s social party, House-style dance entitled “Underground Essence”.
Hall is a choreographer, teacher, and dance media artist. She has choreographed a contemporary jazz/modern piece, “Espera,” exploring the anticipation and aggravation of the unknown.
Brown is an award-winning dance teacher who is currently on staff at SMC. He has choreographed a modern dance piece, “Kazdora,” expressing the idea of restoring peace and stability to the world.
Bergeron is a returning student choreographer who is presenting “Pahura.” This post-modern dance explores the human acknowledgement of fear and the attempt to live without it.
Synapse, founded by Linda Gold, has earned a reputation for artistic excellence and innovation since it was founded 36 years ago. The student troupe has performed throughout the nation, including the Electric Lodge in Venice; the Cast Theater in Hollywood; the Getty Center in Los Angeles; and American College Dance festivals in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California and New Jersey.
Tickets are $18 general admission and at the door; $15 for SMC students with ID and senior citizens (60 and older); and $12 for SMC students who also purchase advance tickets to SMC’s Global Motion concert, which will be held Oct. 27 and 28. Parking is free.
For tickets, call (310) 434-3005 or go to www.smc.edu/eventsinfo. Information is also available at www.smc.edu/AcademicPrograms/dance or (310) 434-3467 .
