February 23, 2021 (Jackson, Miss.) - Seniors from Belhaven's Dance Department will present an evening of scholarship, lecture demonstrations, and creative-process discussions from the field of dance. Belhaven's 2021 Senior Dance Research Presentations will be held on two nights, March 3-4, 7 p.m. at the Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center. These events are free and open to the public. Seating will be limited and socially distanced. Masks are required for the performance.
Each senior has a theme for their project that is creatively unique to the individual dancer, and will consist of classical ballet, modern, and contemporary dance styles. On Wednesday, March 3,Chloe J. Thigpenwill present “Gifts Through Grace: A Study of Prophetic Dance.” Then, Christa Esselywill present “Let There Be Light: How Lighting Design Affects the Way the Audience Perceives Choreography.”
On Thursday, March 4, Taijah K. Lamarwill present “Project Runway,” examining the correlations between what dancers wear and how they perform.Savannah Williamswill also present “Far-fetched or Realistic: Is Body-Inclusivity Viable in Dance?”
Joey Hehn will share her project at a separate event for students and faculty at Belhaven's Dance Department. Her senior project is a resource booklet for creative facilitators who aspire to teach dance across borders. The resource is entitled “A Cross-Cultural Resource for Effective Dance Engagement, At Home and Abroad.”