Elon University's Department of Performing Arts brings to the stage this week a dance arrangement from award-winning choreographer Laura Dean as part of VIBE, which opens May 7 with four shows scheduled through Saturday evening.

Department of Performing Arts presents VIBE
Artistic Direction by Lauren W. Kearns
McCrary Theatre, Thursday-Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

VIBE features the Elon Dance Company performing Breath of Fire by the 2008 Samuel H. Scripps ADF Award Winner, renowned choreographer and composer Laura Dean. In addition, new choreography by Elon dance faculty will be performed, including I Live Here, a multimedia collaboration between choreographer Lauren Kearns, lighting/set designer Bill Webb and video artist Jay McMerty.

Dean choreographs the opening piece in the concert. Learning “Breath of Fire” was a transformational experience for the students and will be a thrilling experience for the audience. In addition to Dean’s piece, faculty choreographers have created innovative, exciting and entertaining dance pieces. Works range from dramatic and comedic narratives to abstract visual tapestries of exhilarating movement. VIBE also features “The Seekers,” the first ever all-male ballet choreographed by professor Cherie Bower, and “I Live Here,” a recipient of the 2008 Elon Fund for Excellence Grant. “I Live Here” is the first ever creative film and dance collaboration between the School of Communications and the Dance Program.

Please check out a blog to view promotional trailers, documentary footage and interviews with the artists and performers by clicking the link to the upper right of this page.

Admission: $12 or Elon ID. Tickets available April 16.