NDI dancers show what freedom means through 'Moving Stories'
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Freedom means different things to different people, and the National Dance Institute of New Mexico strives to translate the meaning of the word through movement and expression.
At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1, the public is invited to the Hiland Theater to enjoy a performance featuring Hiland Company Dancers as the performers explore the concept of freedom with 鈥淢oving Stories.鈥�
鈥淭he show is definitely a mixed repertory show, so we have several different choreographers that all really explore the theme of freedom,鈥� said Layla Amis, artistic director for NDI Hiland Theater.
NDI dancers show what freedom means through 'Moving Stories'
Through a series of rehearsals, including the incorporation of student-led movement, NDI will craft a performance that tells a story of hope and independence. Students collaborated with two professional dancers from Europe, Babatunji Johnson and Charmaine Butcher, and three guest choreographers to make their visions become a reality.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing for the kids to be able to do this because the professionals will also teach class when they鈥檙e here,鈥� Amis said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e here for a week, so they鈥檒l be teaching some classes, and it鈥檚 just so amazing for the students to be able to see what it looks like for a professional dancer to come in, the way they warm up, the way they prepare their bodies, the work ethic that they have, the professionalism that they have.鈥�
Dancers in the company range from ages 10 to 17, with the performance featuring 35 dancers. Some spend seven hours a week within the studio and others spend roughly 16 hours a week, allowing performers time to develop their skills and fine-tune their vision. In total, NDI serves about 8,000 children statewide through a variety of programs.
Though NDI performs 鈥淢oving Stories鈥� annually, each year the theme of the performance changes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity for these kids to experience what it鈥檚 like to do it in a repertory show in a really professional environment,鈥� Amis said. 鈥淔or a lot of kids, they鈥檒l be part of a recital where each class performs their dance, and it鈥檚 a little more of your typical thing. This is really something that is a little higher level, a little higher caliber.鈥�
Attendees can expect a show with several moving parts. Through an hour-long performance, different groups of dancers will bring their creations to life while following one through line that connects all the pieces together.
Guests can expect to be wowed by high physicality skills that showcase flexibility and strength. Some dances will feature strong turns, partner lifts and jumps, while others will highlight precision and balance.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l see everything,鈥� Amis said. 鈥淎 lot of the work is very physical, so it鈥檚 exciting. The music ranges from Vivaldi to Ezio Bosso 鈥� which is this big, beautiful orchestra 鈥� to Radiohead to Roberta Flack. There鈥檚 something different for everyone.鈥�
Amis said guests need to come to the show not just to see the talent NDI has to offer, but to leave feeling hopeful.
鈥淚 think it鈥檒l give audience members hope,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l get to see the voices of the younger generation and see what freedom means to them.鈥�
