‘Hammer and Nail’ brings students together for Buskirk show

On a rainy Monday afternoon, original music could be heard from the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as dancers were rehearsing for the final senior choreographic show, “Hammer and Nail,” which plays Wednesday and Thursday.

There will be two programs on both nights; Program A will begin at 6:30 p.m. and Program B at 8:30 p.m.

A hammer and a nail are two essential tools needed to build something. One is not useful without the other. For senior choreographers of the dance department this metaphor was taken to heart.

“The name ‘Hammer and Nail’ seemed to fit because they are both tools used to create something,” said modern dance professor and mentor Selene Carter.

The show is a collaboration between original music composed by students of the Jacobs School of Music and dance majors.

“In the fall, there is a sort of speed-dating meeting where all the choreographers and all the composers meet and discuss what they would like to do,” senior choreographer Kate Page said. “From there each choreographer and composer is paired up.”

Choreographers also must also choose the costumes, type of lighting, dancers and set.  The  live music is composed by their Jacobs collaborators.

“It teaches you collaboration with a different artist,” Page said. “Our language is a little different. I know some music, but I don’t completely understand the language of the composer. Working like this with a composer better prepares us for the professional world.”

The show has also been a performance opportunity for dance majors. All the choreographers had auditions for their pieces. After consulting with their faculty mentor, a cast is set, and students rehearse twice every week.

“I grew up a competition dancer, where we always use CDs” freshman dancer Andrew Phillips said. “So to have to work with live music you have to get the tempo right. It’s kind of tedious and very different, but a great learning experience.”

As dancers and choreographers were running away from the rain into the warm building, a sense of magic and excitement for something new could be felt.

“When students first come here, many have no choreographic experience — they take two or three years of classes to prepare them for choreography,” said dance faculty member and coordinator Justin Zuschlag.

After the rehearsal many took a break to eat, but it wasn’t the end of the day. For many, there was a preliminary rehearsal to use the space, and later a full rehearsal for the entire show. Because of the individuality of each dancer, each piece is to be very different and varied, Carter said.

“I love to see when walls become doors. Sometimes limitations and obstacles can be creative outlets,” Carter said. “This is one of the first times they get to be on their own. It’s nice to see the finished product fully performed.”