Express thyself

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A truly unique display of music and dancing is commaning the stage in the form
of Orchesis, CMU’s own interpretive dance theatre.
The two-hour show featured various forms of music and interpretive dance that
is almost entirely beyond description. The dancers exceeded many expectations
of the show, and showed the world just what humans can accomplish if they try
hard enough.
The show kicked off with the well-known tune “Lolita” that featured
a group of female dancers in traditional dance attire. The dancers moved about
the stage in a flawlessly choreographed way that resembled classical ballet
dancing.
After a short break for costume changes, what appeared to be the same group
of girls reappeared on the stage to dance along to a popular R&B hit in
multicolored halter tops and blue jeans with kerchiefs in their hair that matched
the color of their tops. They proceeded to dance in a manner that went along
with the style of music, as might be seen in a local drinking establishment,
but never will be because it was actually good dancing.

The presentation continued into another act featuring ballet dancers performing
a routine to a piece of classical music. Then, seemingly out of the blue, the
music stopped and changed to a completely different piece. From there, the routine
appeared to fall to pieces, with dancers crashing into each other until they
finally got onto the same page with their supposed improvisation. The one male
dancer on the stage appeared to have the least idea out of all of them how to
cope with the situation, at one point waving at the crowd, and pretending to
direct the orchestra while the females continued their dance to a clumsy finish.
Another notable scene in the dance featured men and women in white tops and
tye-dyed pants performing some interesting dance formations to a great techno
music number. The formations that they made were so amazing that any description
of the event would be a sad representation of the actual event.
This was closely followed by a mesmerizing piece that featured two female dancers,
one in an orange dress and one in a turquoise dress. The show featured a changing
of the lights to go with their costumes, and some wondrous dance that seemed
extremely well choreographed.
Another scene started with male dancers who appeared to be sleeping on stage.
The music kicked in, and turned out to be a four cello rendition of the Metallica
song “Welcome Home (Sanitarium).” The dance was another great show
of athleticism and interpretation that featured the performers walking on each
other’s hands and backs.
The show continued on into many other forms of music and dance, one of which
featured music with a sort of jungle sound to it. The background and dance floor
were lit to appear as if sunlight were coming through a canopy of trees to a
jungle floor. The dancers were dressed in black leotards with patches of zebra
stripes, tiger stripes, leopard spots, and cheetah spots on the costumes. The
dance appeared to be of a classical ballet nature with a few extra choreographical
liberties taken in the process of interpretation.
Overall, Orchesis turned out to be an excellent show of discipline, athleticism,
and raw talent by all who were involved. The dancers were supported by applauding
and cheering by the audience after each number in varying amounts throughout
the show. The wide variety of music and interpretive dance left almost no taste
in either art form unsatisfied. Orchesis has proved to be a worthy competition
for a typical Thursday night out, and may leave the local bars without its dance
clientele.