The 2011 Webster University Department of Dance Presents Redemption

What: The Webster University Department of Dance presents Redemption, the senior Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Concert. Redemption features eight premiere works by Hope Harl, Isaac Hester, Ashreale McDowell and Jehmela Wilson. These individually unique pieces showcase how each choreographer has grown technically and choreographically. The production investigates personal perspectives on life’s journeys through diverse and eclectic dance.

When/Where: The performances will be Thurs. and Fri., Oct. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. in Stage III, Lower level of Webster Hall, 470 E. Lockwood Ave. Tickets are free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open one half hour prior to curtain. For more information, Contact: 314-968- 7128 dance@webster.edu or visit: Webster.edu/dance.

Who: Hope Harl was born and raised in St. Louis where she attended many dance schools in the area. Starting ballet at an early age, she left dance only to return to the art to explore and discover more styles of dance. She has been to intensives such as University of the Arts Summer Program, State Street Ballet Santa Barbara, Ballet Chicago, and City Ballet of San Diego. At Webster she has performed in many BFA concerts, Dancing in the Streets, American College Dance Festival, and Webster University Dance Ensemble. Hope has found her own sense of choreography through influences such as George Balanchine, William Forsythe, and the faculty at Webster, which can be seen through her pieces. In one of her pieces, Great Expectations, Hope explores the issues of women’s rights and the presumptions that are put on women today. Her piece, The Fruit That I’m Eating is Suddenly Tasteless, is inspired by ideas of divorce and marriage while using actual fruit to show the relationships and connections of the couples.

Isaac Hester was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he attended high school and was active in the arts, including theater, band and orchestra, choir, and piano. It was there that he was introduced to dance as an art form. After spending two years in Cape Girardeau at Southeast Missouri State University, he transferred to Webster University to continue pursuing a BFA in Dance. Since at Webster, he has performed in numerous BFA concerts and the Webster University Dance Ensemble, Dancing in the Streets, and has been involved in performances at Satori. He is currently teaching Modern dance at Patzius Performing Arts in Creve Coeur and has worked with the Dance Center of Kirkwood in their annual Nutcracker production. This past summer he attended The American Dance Festival at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. There he gained experience in Forsythe Technologies, Laban-inspired movement, and improvisation, as well as training in ballet and contemporary styles. Drawing from his history in the theater, strong gestures and narrative are placed beside the motion of ballet. Hester’s Associations investigates the family structure imbedded in American tradition, revealing strengths and constrictions of traditional ideals.

Ashreale Deborah McDowell was born in Saint Louis, Missouri. She started dancing at the age of 16 at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School and the Center of Contemporary Arts (COCA). She has had the wonderful opportunity to perform in The Muny productions of AIDA and High School Musical. Here at Webster University she has performed in several BFA concerts and Webster University Dance Ensemble. Through her faith and the study of lineage-based societies, her work Copacetic deals with the celebration of life through hard times. With use of vibratory, free throwing, liturgical, and percussive movements this piece shows a group of people united together through strength and hope of getting through their life struggles.

 Jehmela Jehnell Wilson was born in Saint Louis, Missouri. She attended University City High School where she began dancing at the age of sixteen. She is now pursuing her BFA here at Webster University where she has performed in numerous BFA Concerts and Webster University Dance Ensemble. Wilson's work DISCONNECT explores the grieving process of losing a loved one via death or lack of communication. Her movement includes surprising, strong and percussive moments that symbolize the angst and emotions of loss through her personal narrative.

Contact: 314-968-7128 dance@webster.edu or visit: Webster.edu/dance.

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