Issue date: 3/1/02 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Brian Alford/Photo Editor

Media Credit: Brian Alford/Photo Credit

Staples is closed. All but one door locked. House lights down. Not a person seated in the audience. But the members of the Hendrix Dance Ensemble bring this stage to life for this silent patronage twice a week. Some tying up ballet shoes, some lacing up tap shoes and some stripping down to bare feet to provide a two hour showcase of their unique style to an empty house.

The unique nature of the Ensemble stems from the assortment of dance backgrounds that each artist brings with them to the stage. From jazz to ballet, from tap to modern and from ballroom to swing, this group merges together a dozen or more styles of movement to produce a whole new genre of Hendrix dance. "The variety of talents and training make this a very diverse and well-rounded group", says Jennifer Maddox, the Ensemble's instructor.

Maddox, who coordinates both the Hendrix Ensemble and one at Henderson State, has coordinated a "Celebration of Dance" in Hot Springs on Saturday, March 2, and has asked both the Hendrix and Henderson companies to headline. Additionally, she is working with the Ensemble when they travel to Austin, TX to participate in the American College Dance Festival. Maddox will also help the group prepare for a Spring Concert in Staples to exhibit the dancers to the Hendrix Community.

Bobby Engeler-Young, the coordinator of dance activities on campus says, "We've been lucky to have such great instructors, like Jennifer. They have continually shown their commitment to the Hendrix dance program."

Others on campus, including Engeler-Young, have contributed to the Dance Ensemble as well. The formation of the group began four years ago, informally. It has grown through the productions of "Dance Under Construction," an open-stage night for all dancers to showcase their talents. And in the fall of 2002, the group was officially named the "Hendrix Dance Ensemble."

But is this young dance program done developing, or is this just one of many growth-spurts yet to come? The dancers have some thoughts on the matter. Like Kari Thompson, who thinks "we need some full-time faculty and more dance opportunities like this on campus."

Lisa Powell says, "All we want is some mirrors." Whether it be a wall of reflective glass or a permanent addition to the Hendrix teaching staff, there are plans to keep expanding the dance program on campus.

I believe Dance at Hendrix is nowhere near its climax. Who knows, maybe Dr. Ann Die's vision for dance as a major by 2010 will reach fruition.

Curtain.

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