School of Dance

The School of Dance returns with live performances at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre this fall with two concerts: ‘Premium Blend’ and ‘Comeback – Student Spotlight.’

“It’s been too long,” said Deanna Fitzgerald, interim director of the School of Dance.

Like everyone else, when COVID-19 hit, UA Dance cancelled in-person events and began producing virtual programming. The last live performance was Feb. 16, 2020.

“The joy of performing for live audiences and the experience of witnessing dance in-person on stage is truly a symbiotic and special relationship,” she said. “I’m happy to say UA Dance is back.”

>> Fall Package, available Oct. 1
>> Single tickets, available Oct. 15

Gold Jackets performed by UA Dance students
‘Gold Jackets’ performed by the UA Dance Ensemble. Photo: Ed Flores

PREMIUM BLEND
Nov. 10-11, Nov. 16-21

UA Dance will honor veterans on campus with this year’s Premium Blend. With choreography by Autumn Eckman, “Gold Jackets” pays reverence to brotherhood, defined by fellowship, alliance, and honor. Pieces by Marquez Johnson and Hayley Meier, shot on camera, will appear in large format, cinematic images. Choreography by faculty members Tamara Dyke-ComptonMichael Williams, and Chris Compton — some new, some back by popular demand – will welcome our live audiences back into the theatre. 

Julia Hansch, UA Dance student
UA Dance Ensemble member Julia Hansch (’23). Photo by Ed Flores.

COMEBACK – STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Dec. 1-5

From Eugéne Delecroix to Dorethea Lange, from the Sistine Chapel to Guernica, great art is born from trying times. The resiliency of the human spirit is on full display as UA Dance presents Comeback, an evening of student-crafted works that speak to the heart of what it means to be an artist. Diamonds are born of pressure, and our dancers are ready for a comeback.

“We also open this fall season looking forward with a heart full of gratitude for the vision that Jory Hancock and Melissa Lowe brought to this program and the University of Arizona for over 30 years,” Fitzgerald said. 

The husband-and-wife team of Hancock and Lowe announced their retirements last January, after 34 years on campus building one of the nation’s elite collegiate dance programs. Hancock led the dance program since 1989 and was the director of the School of Dance since its inception in 2005; Lowe was a professor of ballet and director of student services. 

Workshops have begun to bring Frank Chavez’s full-length masterwork, “Habaneras, The Music of Cuba,” to the Stevie Eller Dance Theater in the spring. Colorful, exuberant, and bright, “Habaneras, The Music of Cuba”will be a jewel in the crown of our 2021-2022 season. The Spring Package will be announced soon.

THE FALL PACKAGE

Theatre goers will receive a discounted price for purchasing tickets to both concerts and have the option to purchase Mall Parking with the Fall Package.

Fall Package (available Oct. 1)

Adult $40 / Senior, Military, Employee $36 / Student $18 
Mall Parking for Fall Package purchasers: $16

Single Ticket Prices (available Oct. 15)

Premium Blend: Adult, $28 / Senior, Military, Employee, $25 / Student $12 
Comeback: Adult, $19 / Senior, Military, Employee, $17 / Student $9

Questions? Visit the Arizona Arts Box Office at Centennial Hall or call 520.621.3341