Dance troupe combines music, motion

Gathered in a tight clump in the center of the dance floor, the 25 members of dance company In Motion press their bodies together, forward, around and sharply back to the front again during a rehearsal.\nThis formation is one of many in the company's opening piece, "Music," which they will perform in an upcoming performance at Willkie Auditorium. \nChoreographed by company directors senior Alisha Pedigo and sophomore Alice Cockrum, the piece sets the stage for the 20 dances that follow.\nThe pieces range from hip-hop and jazz to modern and lyrical forms of movement, and have been choreographed by different dancers in the company. Some are solos. Others are duets. Most are group pieces of five or more. All use bodies to create a moment of art. \nThe group began as an independent study and research project by Margaret Larkey, a former graduate student of Associate Professor of Kinesiology Gwen Hamm, and continues in the hands of students. \nHamm, also a professor of dance in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, said the program began several years ago after Larkey's project was accepted by her faculty director.\n"The students perform their own choreography, although in previous years funding had been obtained to bring in guest choreographers," Hamm said.\nAs a student-run, nonprofit organization, financial struggles sometimes trouble the company. But the dancers find a way to make the show possible every year. Sophomore Megan Allen has been a member of In Motion for two years and said company members pay for their own costumes.\nCockrum said In Motion directors apply for funding every year.\n"But we must also raise our own funds by way of voluntary donations and business advertisements in the show program," Cockrum said. "IU has provided us with superior outlets and resources to make all of this happen."\nAllen was on the panel of judges for the 2001 company. The audition for In Motion consisted of a four-hour-long series of short dances and technique exercises, such as pirouettes and leaps. The judges used a set standard of requirements for acceptance into the 2001 In Motion dance company, based on "technique, attitude, style and memorization skills," Allen said.\nThis year, there were about 60 dancers at the audition and 25 were chosen, which Allen said, "creates a mixture of styles that add variety to the company."\nPedigo's involvement with the company began three years ago as a freshman, although she already had 16 years of training under her belt. Her responsibilities include coordinating company meetings, auditions and advertisements; scheduling a place for the performance and dress rehearsal; booking a production crew; organizing practices; fundraising; managing the treasury; communicating with the company's sponsor; and designing programs and costumes. \nPedigo said her two biggest goals as director are keeping the company alive and putting together an annual show. \nCockrum said it takes a significant time commitment for she and Pedigo to keep the company running.\n"Basically, if Alisha and I didn't feel like running In Motion anymore, there would be no one to hold us back from just quitting," Cockrum said. "There is no one looking over our shoulder making sure we are getting the job done. So one must be a very responsible and hard worker to be in charge of a student-run organization." \nIn Motion will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Willkie Auditorium. Admission is free.