The More You NOLA: An Evening of Dance
This weekend, 18 performers will take the stage for An Evening of Dance, an annual event showcasing the dedication and talent of Tulane students within the Newcomb Dance Company.
“Our real mission is to get students to see live theater and dance — to experience it here,” said Alice Pascal Escher, artistic director of the Newcomb Dance Company.
Pascal Escher and associate professor Beverly Trask evolved the Newcomb Dance Club, a student organization founded in 1940 by alumna Frances B. Bush, into the faculty-run company in 1984.
“Our real mission is to get students to see live theater and dance — to experience it here.”
— Alice Pascal Escher, artistic director of the Newcomb Dance Company
Each fall, students audition to become company members. Selected dancers attend weekly company classes in addition to scheduled technique classes.
“We started working on An Evening of Dance at the beginning of the fall semester, so this will be the culmination of that,” said Pascal Escher, noting that the performers come from a wide variety of the university’s schools, including the School of Architecture, School of Liberal Arts, the A.B. Freeman School of Business and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
The night’s performances are directed by Newcomb Dance Program faculty.
“This year, we’re presenting four faculty works created by four female professors. You’ll see very different pieces and beautiful dancing. My piece is more of a contemporary ballet,” she said.
The student showcase will also feature premiere pieces choreographed by Michaela Cannon and Beverly Trask as well as a revamped work from Barbara Hayley.
“There’s also beautiful lighting by graduate lighting designers and beautiful costumes. I think you will be entertained,” said Pascal Escher.
Catch An Evening of Dance at Dixon Hall on the Tulane University uptown campus on Friday (Feb. 10) at 8 p.m., Saturday (Feb. 11) at 2 p.m. and on Sunday (Feb. 12) at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
