Original works draw existential inspiration from across the human experience

CLEVELAND, OH (February 24, 2023) – Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, a Resident Company of Playhouse Square, will present its annual Spring Dance Concert over the course of three days: Friday, March 10 – Sunday, March 12 at the Allen Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Performances feature CSU ensemble CSU DANCE COMPANY and apprentice ensemble CSU DANCE GROUP; along with GroundWorks DanceTheatre, CSU’s professional dance company in-residence.

Choreographers include CSU’s visiting guest artists- Jenna Riegel, Tyler Ring, and CSU alum Talise Campbell; Rena Butler, Choreographic Associate of Gibney Dance (NYC) and 2019 Princess Grace Choreography Award recipient; 2022 Dance Magazine Award recipient, Dianne McIntyre; and Cleveland State University’s 2022-2023 Visiting Guest Artist, Chrissy Martin.

In Chrissy Martin’s original work made in collaboration with CSU Dance Company and Dance Group featuring an original sound score by Bryan Tysal, (re)spire, inspired by the book “Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals” by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, who draws inspiration from marine mammalian survival in the face of a self-destructive civilization and impending climate change—the dancers activate their breath to form a cohesive unit. Within their small alliances, strong partnerships, collective drive, and energetic connection, dancers run, fall, spiral, and support one another across the stage, moving with purpose towards an uncertain future.

Returning visiting guest artist Tyler Ring premieres The Corrected Path—“a love letter to the last five years of my life; years that had been filled with pain, hardships, battles, but most recently, relief,” Ring notes. In addition, recurring CSU Summer Dance guest artist, Jenna Riegel returns to Cleveland with Varvara, an interdisciplinary work inspired by constructivist artist, Varvara Stepanova. Diane McIntyre restages The Call of Mrs. Hamer, choreographed on a CSU alum/ faculty member, through the voice of Civil Rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer.

The evening culminates with GroundWorks DanceTheater’s presentation of Rena Butler’s Sheep’s Gothic; a work set by the recent guest artist exploring the idiom “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Further, CSU Dance Company and CSU Dance Group are joined by Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, in the traditional African dance Yankadi/ Macru, translated to the concert stage.

Tickets are $5.00- $15.00 are available through the Playhouse Square Center website, or may be purchased by phone at 216.241.6000 or online at playhousesquare.org. Contact the CSU Department of Theatre & Dance by email at dance@csuohio.edu for special discounted rates.

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About Cleveland State University
Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution providing a dynamic environment for Engaged Learning. With nearly 16,000 students, ten colleges and schools, and more than 175 academic programs, CSU was again chosen for 2021 as one of America’s best universities by U.S. News & World Report, including the #1 public university in Ohio for social mobility. Find more information at www.CSUOhio.edu.