Tash Mahnokaren
Staff Writer
Dance is often considered the earliest form of art that an individual engages in. We attach a word to a connotation that simply defines movement.
Movement of any kind can broadly be considered dance, and as such, dance is said to take place as early as in the womb.
According to the Idaho State Journal, Emeritus Professor Marcia Lloyd and six of her students created Danson in 1977 at ISU.
Lloyd felt dance classes at the university were restricting and felt compelled to give students more opportunities to choreograph as well as dance, doing so by exposing them to guest choreographers. The first performance of Danson as a club took place in fall of 1978 with 14 dancers, according to the Idaho State Journal.
Danson consists of members who have minimal dance background, to those who have been dancing for as long as they can remember.
“There are a few with minimal dance background,” explains Brenna Oliver, vice president of Danson. “They are in dance basics with the dance program or foundations of movement.”
Danson extends an open invitation to anyone with the desire to participate and improve on his or her dance ability.
“We try to recruit incoming dancers that want to just dance for fun,” said Oliver. “They may not have all the technical experience that the Bengal dancers need or the time to put into a dance major or minor. It is a club because it is a hobby.”
While Danson’s main focus is to provide a space for individuals to pursue their interest in dance, it doesn’t do just that. Danson creates a comfortable and nurturing environment for individuals, while guiding them to be well-rounded dancers with proper form and technique. Danson creates a platform for both the reserved and the bold to exercise expression through movement.
Danson typically holds a performance at the end of each semester but a lack of space and time this semester brought forward their production.
“Normally we have our auditions, then we practice throughout the semester and then we have our final show,” said Oliver.
Danson’s winter performances will be held on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 1 at both 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance can be obtained at the doors of the Bistline Theatre for a $7 minimum donation.
These donations will be put forth to finance the Danson members’ travels to Missoula, Mont. for a dance festival.
In their performance, Danson will feature a variety of genres of dance. Student choreographers, as well as guest choreographers have put these works together.
“You are not going to know what to expect next because you’ll be watching a jazz piece and then a transition to tap, theatrics and a sassy group piece that will be characterized and fun,” said Oliver.
For the rest of the semester, Danson will focus on the American College Dance Association Festival that will take place over a period of four to five days.
Apart from the performance aspect of the club, various measures are taken to ensure financial feasibility.
“Occasionally we do bake sales as fundraisers,” said Oliver.
Danson sometimes takes part in involvement fairs in hopes of getting something set up for CommUniversity.
Oliver said she is lucky to have been able to pursue her passion for dance in different environments.
“Moving around, I got to experience different studios and different types of dance,” said Oliver. “I am lucky to have been exposed to so many different teachers, dancers and the dance world.”
If you’re like Oliver and have performed in a production of the Nutcracker or have admired performances from the comforts of your seat but want to pursue your interest in dance, Danson creates a welcoming and nurturing environment for this.
“No matter your level of experience, just always have fun with it because there’s always going to be people that look up to you whether they have more experience or less experience, more technicality skills or less. As long as you are confident in yourself and your dancing skills, people are going to want to watch you, and I think that is the most important thing,” said Oliver.
