The Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance will present the Spring Dance Concert, opening April 26. Performances will be held in the intimate thrust space of Westhoff Theatre and will run through April 29.

photo of Edward Rice

Alumnus Edward Rice ‘04

The Spring Dance Concert will feature original choreographic work by New York dance artist and alumnus Edward Rice ’04, whose work explores the human condition through an immersive dance theater experience accompanied by text and an original sound score. Rice has performed professionally with Brian Brooks Moving Co.; Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects; Laura Peterson Choreography; Elephant Jane Dance; Alexandra Beller/Dances; and Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More, NYC. Starting in 2012, Rice began working extensively with Third Rail Projects on a number of pieces including “Then She Fell” and “The Grand Paradise.” Rice has taught dance and performance both nationally and internationally.

Poster for 2018 Spring Dance Concert showing dancer in an inversion pose.

The 2018 Spring Dance Concert runs April 26 through April 29.

Sara Semonis, head of the dance program, has created two works for the Spring Dance Concert: the duet “when we left,” and the solo work “Let the Metaphors Begin.” “Stand,” choreographed by Greg Merriman, is inspired by recent social/political movements. “On Whom We Depend” is a new work created by Darby Wilde through collaboration with her dancers. The work examines the human condition and its vulnerabilities. Kristin Carlson will premiere a work with four dancers, titled “strokeWeight(),” which explores improvisation and set work through a combination of dancers onstage and offstage. Kaley Pruitt will premiere the duet “Like Minds.”

The Spring Dance Concert will be presented in the Westhoff Theatre April 26–28 at 7:30 p.m. and April 28–29 at 2 p.m.

For tickets or more information, please contact the College of Fine Arts Box Office, located in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts, open 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday, at (309) 438-2535, or purchase tickets online by visiting ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults. Free performance parking is available in the School Street Parking Deck in spots 250 and above, at 400 W. Beaufort St., in Normal.