Variety of genres featured in weekend shows

IU faculty and students presented "An Evening of Contemporary Dance" Thursday and Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. \nThe performance featured a diverse range of dance styles, all choreographed by IU faculty from the schools of Kinesiology and Music and the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies and performed by IU students. \nThe shows pulled large crowds, said Liz Shea, one of the choreographers. She said about 350 people attended Thursday and 500 Friday.\n"We had a diverse audience," Shea said. \nLaura Poole, another choreographer, said she enjoyed the amount of support from the audience\n"I was just very pleased with the turnout," she said.\nAfter the countless hours of rehearsal, the dancers and choreographers were pleased to show their hard work to the world.\n"We rehearsed so much," said sophomore dancer Brittany Crosby. "I felt like it was so much more fun (performing), with all the lights and costumes ... To look on the audience, there's an extra edge and adrenaline. There's just something that doesn't kick in rehearsals. I wish I could be on stage every weekend."\nWatching their creations was exciting for the choreographers, too.\n"All the elements came together," Poole said. "To see it all together was just fantastic. It came together exactly like I hoped."\nShea agreed.\n"There was something a little magical on stage,"she said. "I think it went beautifully. It exceeded expectations. It was a long, tough week, but we pulled through."\nThere was also much praise for the talent of the dancers.\n"I thought they were champs." Poole said. "They did a great job."\nShea was impressed with the progress of the dancers.\n"I am very proud of our students, and how far the students have come," said she.\nCrosby enjoyed her experience in "An Evening of Contemporary Dance."\n"I live for (dance)," she said. "Everybody in all the pieces were extraordinary people and dancers."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.