Choreographer Feature: Suzannah Forbes

Name: Suzannah Forbes
Class: Sophomore
Major: Animal Science/Pre-Vet
Minor: Dance
Years of dance training: 17
Favorite type of dance: Lyrical
Dance Troupe Experience: First year choreographing and first year performing!

What's your song for this year's concert?
Numb by Oh Land

What's the title of your piece?
Breaking the Spell

Who is in your dance?
Sophomores Aaron Estes, Brynn Barber, Caroline Fagan, Emily Haire, Morgan Johnston, and John Paul Jones; Juniors Danni Jones, Monique Masutier, and Marley Simonis; Seniors Cory Brooks and Emily Thomas; and Alumni Seth Smith

What is your dance about?
My dance is about coming to life and overcoming a "spell" that one may be going through in life. The theme is based off of the scene in Sleeping Beauty where Aurora and the royal court are awakened.

Why did you choose this song and theme for your dance?
This song stood out to me because it had so much contrast between an eerie sound and a hard hitting sound. It made me feel like I was under a spell while listening to it. So, the theme of Sleeping Beauty came into my head and I decided that this would be a great theme to represent how sometimes in life we are entranced by things that are not so good for us, so we must "break the spell"!

Anything you hope the audience gets from this piece?
I hope the audience feels entranced from the beginning of the dance, along with certain characters. Then by the end of the dance, I hope they feel as if they have come alive from a spell themselves.

Choreographer Feature: Caroline Fagan

Name: Caroline Fagan
Year: Sophomore
Years of dance training: 12
Dance Troupe experience: Second year performing and choreographing and second year as Dance Concert Manager
Favorite type of dance: Contemporary or Hip-hop....it's a toss up!

Cast List:
Junior Monique Masutier; Sophomore's Brynn Barber, Suzannah Forbes, Morgan Johnston, and Jamie Martof; and Freshmen Noelle Mouton and Abbey Smyth

What is your piece about?
My piece represents the struggles women have while trying to leave a situation involving domestic violence. Women who experience domestic violence have to fight to find the strength to leave the loved one who tragically abused them. Statistics say that women return to these loved ones 7-9 times before they can truly walk away forever. My piece will demonstrate, to the best of its ability, the emotional journey these strong women have to experience in order to leave their broken past behind.

Where did you get the inspiration for this piece?
I am currently taking Women's Self Defense with Shannon Bond and I have learned so much about what women all over the world are dealing with. Through learning and hearing about different women's stories, I have been inspired to use my talents as a choreographer to send a message to the audience about the physical and emotional strength women who experience domestic violence have to find in order to live their lives free of fear and dejection.

Anything you hope the audience gets from this dance?
YES! I hope my piece raises awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence. Whether an audience member knows someone in an unhealthy relationship or not, everyone can speak out and offer help to women in need of support.

Choreographer Feature: Marley Simonis

Name: Marley Jane Simonis

Year: Junior

Major: Exercise Science

Minor: Dance

Years of Dance Training: 15

Dance Troupe experience: Third year performing, second year choreographing

Favorite type of dance: Definitely anything related to jazz

What’s your song for this year’s concert?
A mix of PYT, Billie Jean, and Dirty Diana…by Michael Jackson

Why did you choose this song?

It’s simple: I love Michael Jackson. Whenever I hear one of his songs, I just can’t help but dance. The dude was able to create music that I believe will last many generations. 

What is your dance about?

It is about the legacy that we leave after we pass away. What    you do now will leave an impression on someone, whether that is one person, or 20 million. MJ has left his mark in history and on the entertainment world. He had a tremendous impact on pop music culture that will be remembered for a very long time, whether it was positive or negative is your opinion. We have to remember that every one of us has the potential to have an impact on the world – what kind of legacy will you leave?

Who is in your dance?

AH I love my dancers. My beautiful girls are: Seniors Emily Thomas as Lindsay Cope; Juniors Michelle McAloon and Danni Jones; Sophomores Brynn Barber and Suzannah Forbes; and Freshman Abbey Smyth. Then we have one incredible guy and that is Junior Alex Peters. 

What do you want the audience to get from this number?

A smile. I always choreograph with the intent to be entertaining and Michael Jackson was an entertainer -everything he did was a show. I want the audience to understand the message behind the piece, but more importantly I want them to enjoy the artistry that is classic pop music and pop jazz dance.

What is your favorite part of being involved with Dance Troupe?

Well obviously the part where we dance a lot, ha-ha. But equally as great as that is the people I get to practice and perform with. The friendships and bonds you have with your fellow dancers are like no other relationship. We truly get to know each other on a personal level and I love that. Seeing these people on a regular basis is awesome – it’s a great group - and performance week in March is one of my favorite weeks of the year.