When Lane Grosser said she wanted to “bring life to people through dance” she meant that she wanted the audience to be inspired –– but with part of the proceeds going toward THON, that mantra has a whole new meaning.
State College’s Brio Dance Company will be performing at the State Theatre, at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $12 for students and are $18 for the general public at the box office, 130 W. College Ave. Two dollars from every ticket will benefit the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
Grosser, founder and artistic director of Brio Dance Company, said THON was a perfect fit.
“Part of our mission is to care for the underprivileged in the community,” she said.
Brio Dance Company is a non-profit contemporary dance company based in State College. The company is made up of seven members — all of whom will perform in the show.
Friday’s fall concert is a one-night-only performance that will begin with a concert by the Pure Cane Sugar Band. The event is a family-friendly performance, suitable for all ages, according to a press released issued by the State Theatre.
The idea was to join forces with other local acts, Grosser said.
Dancer and State College resident Linda Hildebrand said she joined Brio Dance Company when she saw the group and was struck by the talent. Prior to joining, she danced professionally.
Hildebrand said the audience should “expect a blast” and a collaboration of very different pieces.
Dancer Rebecca Maciejczyk is a Boalsburg resident who has been a member of Brio since 2010. Maciejczyk said the company has been working on this show since last fall. They rehearsed two or three days per week, for two to three hours each day.
“It is very rich and has a lot of depth,” Maciejczyk said. “We want to invite people to come and explore their own reactions to it.”
Dancer Julia Ostrowski (senior-art) said the show has a lot of athleticism.
Ostrowski said when watching the Brio Dance Company perform “you become very aware of how much work is involved.”
There’s a lot of variety both in the dance and musically –– it has a modern to classic range, she said.
Following the band, the show is broken into three distinct dances, the first of which is an electric violin-driven piece called “Resonance.”
The second called “Four Seasons” is an inspiration dance that was the most challenging to perform, dancer Tracy Kogelmann said.
The third and last number, called “Some and Others” is dancer Robert Keal’s favorite.
Keal described the piece as sensual but not sexual. “It’s beautiful,” he said.
It is also Kogelmann’s favorite.
When choreographing all of the pieces, Grosser was “re-falling in love” with the great New York City choreographer Paul Taylor.
Though each piece varies, they are inspired by Taylor’s movements, Grosser said.
Grosser let the inspiration behind the show and the music inspire her when creating the show.
“I let things mold from there,” she said.
Kogelmann, a State College resident, called the show an athletic and modern performance. “It’s almost ‘in your face,’” she said.
Grosser said she often gets comments about how the company should be performing in Europe, not State College. But she loves Happy Valley — and wants the Valley to love the company, too.
“I want the town to see the modern company that’s here,” she said.
All of Brio Dance Company’s members are excited to see the reactions of the public and to participate in such a great cause.
Abby Wilson (sophomore-film) was invited to join Brio Dance Company last summer. “Brio is not affiliated with Penn State, so it’s great to work with THON,” she said.
Ostrowski said everyone in State College is behind THON.
“Being both a resident and a student, I get to see both spheres,” she said. “It’s kind of cool to see the community cross over to student recognition.”
Kogelmann, who said she is grateful to be involved, said, “the entire community is supporting THON.”
“There is depth in Brio and in Penn State students – our common bond is ballet,” she said.
To email reporter: knt5078@psu.edu
