CofC Dance Program to Perform Diverse Range of Choreography in ‘After the Rain’ Concert

By: CofC Media

CofC Stages at the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents its fall dance concert, After the Rain. Choreographed by faculty and guest artists, this collection of dances portrays the department’s 2023-24 season theme, “Expectations and Explorations” – challenging what we think we know as we discover the world around us, as well as ourselves. 

After the Rain highlights contemporary and classical dance works inspired by the strength we have to move forward when the clouds lift. The concert will premiere the work created by the 2023 School of the Arts Quattlebaum Artist-in-Residence, Herman Ramos, a dance stemming from his choreographic voice of Hip-Hop and western classical dance. Additional choreography featured in the concert include a restaging of the Pas de Trios des Odalisques from Le Corsaire, an Egyptian dance choreographed by adjunct faculty member Beena Austin, and a contemporary work by junior dance major Emily Falcone.

“The breadth of work in this concert reflects the fact that the emphasis of our dance major has shifted from a euro-centric curriculum. Including styles beyond ballet and modern has opened the door not only to a wider range of movement experience for our majors, but more importantly the historical and cultural conversations about the roots of dance,” says Kristin Alexander, Associate Professor of Dance and Artistic Director of the concert. Alexander continues, “The theme of the concert lends itself to choreographic investigation of the rebuilding from devastation or new beginnings that occur in the aftermath of a storm. We’ve seen resilience from our students in many ways over the past few years, and for that reason, they have connected deeply with the works.”

Quattlebaum Artists-in-Residence Endowment:

With its origin dating back to 1985, the College’s Quattlebaum Artists-in-Residence Endowment has helped connect students and the community to renowned artists, such as visual artist Christo, pianist Leon Fleisher, photographer Duane Michaels, former NEA Chairman and actor Jane Alexander, and visual artist Htein Lin, among many others.

2023-2024 CofC Stages Season

Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus

After the Rain (faculty-choreographed dance concert)

In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar (staged reading)

Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson

The Pages Festival: Staged Readings of Student-Written Works

Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II (co-production with Department of Music/CofC Opera)

Pathways (student-choreographed dance concert)

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Visit go.cofc.edu/cofcstages to learn about all eight productions that center on the theme “Expectations and Explorations.”

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