By LaVielle Hibbert
Faculty in CSUDH’s Theatre and Dance department have reached into the vault to revive, and reset, some of their f
“Renovations,” which opens Friday, is the name of the event, which fits the show as well as the actual theater, which has been closed since October, 2018.
As reported in the Oct. 3, 2018 edition of The Bulletin, an inspection of the theater “uncovered significant safety concerns that have the potential to cause serious injury in the event of failure and/or malfunction,” according to an email sent by Mitch Avila, the dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.
Initially, it was believed the 444-seat theater would be closed for four months. While other rooms in the building have been opened, Friday’s dance concert marks the first the main auditorium has been used in 14 months.
The show will feature reconstructions of choreography and choreographic styles by CSUDH dance faculty Amy Michele Allen, Marco A. Carreon, Sarah Cashmore, Jeff Hendrix, Doris Acosta Ressl, and Kenneth Walker.
“We’ve reached into the choreography vault to revive, re-stage, and reset our favorite dance pieces. We’ll also create new works based on previous inspiration,” said Ressl.
Additionally, special guests Erin Landry and Dale Merrill will be featured. Landry, a professor of dance at Cypress College, has danced professionally with the internationally-acclaimed Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), the Lewitzky Dance Company, and the Lula Washington Contemporary Dance Theater.
Merrill, currently the Dean for the College of the Arts and Professor of Dance at California State University, Fullerton, has over 30 years of choreographic credits and created numerous original works and musical theater productions.
Performances for Renovations will be held Friday and Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m. Tickets are $13-18. For more information, go here.
