The Department of Dance Presents MaDaCol’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

MaDaCol

The Department of Dance at Case Western Reserve University is pleased to announce this fall’s production of MaDaCol (Mather Dance Collective). Performances are on November 21-23 at 7:30 pm.

 MaDaCol, one of the university’s oldest undergraduate student organizations, offers an important creative outlet for CWRU graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and greater Cleveland community members. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the performances this year will feature dance works choreographed in the past – one from each decade. They are Inevitable by Yizhen Hu, Flap by Ken Gasch, Scandals by Janet Meskin and Victory of the Feet by Karina Browne.

Scandals (1984)

First created by Janet Meskin, Scandals brings a lively, nostalgic atmosphere to the stage with its playful exploration of relationships, humor, and dance. Scandals is set to three iconic songs, Doin' The New Low-Down by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Moanin' Low by Libby Holman, and Carmen Miranda's South American Way. Restaged by graduate student Noah Hardy, 10 dancers will explore the ideas behind types of relationships, and the fun at the root of each interaction.

Flap (2001)

Originally choreographed by Ken Gasch and now restaged by graduate student Megan Gregory, Flap takes the audience on an unpredictable journey between composure and chaos. Set to the eclectic and whimsical music of Danny Elfman, this 11-minute modern dance work unfolds in three parts, each offering a glimpse into a world teetering on the edge of danger. With costumes designed by the original MaDaCol dancers, Flap shows a glimpse of a different kind of danger - restrained and sophisticated.

Victory of the Feet (2013)

Victory of the Feet, originally choreographed by Karina Browne in 2012, is a lighthearted dance battle set to the energetic renditions of Queen's hits by the Vitamin String Quartet. With We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust, and We Are the Champions driving the action, this playful work transports the audience from the stage to a high-stakes dodgeball match between jocks and underdogs. Restaged by graduate student Maizy Windham, Victory of the Feet offers an amusing and triumphant narrative in an unforgettable showdown.

Inevitable (2018)

Inevitable, by 2019 MFA graduate Yizhen Hu, is set to the haunting and ethereal music of Meredith Monk and Katie Geissinger. It shows the struggles of grief and emotional ranges often experienced with death as well as associated frustrations of helplessness that can be felt during the grieving process, all leading to the realization of the unavoidable mortality of human life. Restaged by graduate student Katherine Averill, Inevitable invites the audience to confront the inescapable truths of life and death with an intimate, emotional depth.

Tickets and Location

All performances take place at Mather Dance Center located at 11040 Bellflower Road, on the Case Western Reserve University campus. All tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Mather Dance Center prior to each performance. Cash or check only is accepted upon purchase. Early arrival is suggested due to limited seating. No reservations and no advance sales will be made. For more information on the department, please visit https://case.edu/artsci/dance/