After a standout June performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, dance majors Jonathan Kim, Andrew Corpuz, Kevin Lopez and Chris Jensen have been invited to perform “August” at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts, as part of the Aug. 25 Inside/Out American College Dance National Gala Highlights Concert.
The College of the Arts dance program is one of only four out of more than 500 in the nation chosen to perform at the iconic American dance center and school, listed as a National Historic Landmark — the country’s only dance landmark — for its “exceptional cultural venue that holds value for all Americans.”
“Through the rehearsal processes and performance opportunities, these four students were able to deepen their artistry, and their connections to the work and to each other,” says Debra Noble, professor of dance and dance program director. “They rose to the many challenges of the choreography, and created performances that audiences have found beautiful and moving.”
The opportunity to perform at Jacob’s Pillow, adds Noble, is an immense honor for the dancers and CSUF’s dance program. “It reflects highly on our dance program and the training that our students are receiving.”
The students’ June performance at the Kennedy Center as part of the American College Dance Festival’s National Festival prompted the panelists to add a special honorable mention for ensemble dancing. Jennifer Stahl, Dance Magazine’s editor-in-chief, praised their performance in the June 15 article “How Do You Stand Out at a Dance Festival?”:
“Our honorable mention for performance went to an ensemble of four men from California State University, Fullerton, for the way each dancer’s focus, intention and movement quality all heightened the strong, joyful energy shared among the cast.”