The future for Glabe

We have been following Heather Glabe since the start of her adventure with the 2011 MFA Concert, and now that it's over, she gave us a sneak preview of what we can expect from her in the coming years.



Heather Glabe posing backstage before
the MFA Concert in an attempt to
loosen the nerves that everyone was
feeling. Photo Credit:  Jessica Kondrath.

Glabe has worked extremely hard this semester doubling as a ballet assistance teacher, and an intense performer who rehearsed vigorously. While she has definitely succeeded in balancing both, Glabe is looking forward to the future and even more challenges. For next year, Glabe hopes to push herself even further.



"Next year I will be doing more school pursuing my graduate degree, of course," said Glabe. "I will also be choreographing next year for both the fall and spring MFA concert, so definitely stay tuned for more good times."

While Glabe is stepping away from performing and taking part in a whole new way behind the scenes, she has learned a lot from the experience she has taken part in. Being able to observe the process from a performer stand point has given her the tools to participate next year more hands on.

"When looking back on the process overall, I've learned that it is important to cultivate a respectful, yet fun working environment," said Glabe. "I'm super excited to choreograph next semester! I'm working on a piece tentatively titled, Hansel and Gretel's Guide to Surviving the Wilderness. I'm really excited."

Heather has really grown and expanded as a performer, person, and teacher. In five years she hopes to be teaching, performing, and creating even more works for people to enjoy. Heather will be involved with the dance department for at least another year, so follow up with her works which will be placed in the fall MFA Dance Concert 2011, and spring 2012 MFA Dance Concert.

MFA Concert stuns and amazes

The MFA Dance Concert 2011, Lightness & Dark, impressed the crowd on only it's second night with it's four major pieces that varied from soft and angelic, to dark and morbid.

At the Thursday evening April 30 show, the dancers involved in the graduate program were on their game. The show was choreographed completely by some of the graduate students, and included multiple CSULB dancers who were largely undergraduates. The concert consisted of four pieces, each about 25 minutes, that all told a very unique and different story.



The audience sits in anticipation
awaiting the start of the MFA Dance
Concert 2011. Photo Credit:
Nichole Hamilton

The concert opened with a piece titled Heaven that was choreographed by Brian Moe in collaboration with the dancers. The piece was centered around the journey and entrance into heaven, and the idea that everybody experiences it differently. This dance in particular featured a live vocal choir, pianist, and conductor, which really added to the overall tone of the piece. It had many happy moments where the dancers geniously expressed joy in their movements and their faces, but also had some very deep and low moments where the choir's haunting voices contributed to the depressed mood. With that being said, there were also moments of sadness, as some of the characters in the dance did not cope as well with the idea of death, and being in heaven.


The second piece was titled Fight or Plight, and was choreographed by Jay Carlson. This dance was a work based on the classic play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, and really focused on escapism and attaining the unattainable. It was a much darker piece, and explored the avenues of the imagination. It was very whimsical in character, and had an exttremely strong ending. It was very easy to appreciate this piece in particular because of how much emotion the dancers invested in their performances, and it was evident that they were completely enthralled in the performance.



Thirdly, there was a dance titled 12:01, choreographed by Summer Brown. The dance was definitely the darkest of the four, and like the first one featured live music. There was a wonderful violinist who performed on stage, which always adds to the overall drama of the piece. The dancers in this particular work appeared scared and hurt, and struggled with communication as they tried to talk to each other through the symbols they performed. The dance really succeeded in engaging the audience, as it was such an emotional work.

A crowded lobby discusses the first half
of the show at intermission, and awaits the start of
the second half. Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton.

Lastly, there was The Art of Breathing, choreographed by Jessica Kondrath. This piece featured the largest number of dancers of any piece of the night, and also the most lighting. This piece was wonderful, and really stood out from the others due to its unique and different costumes, which were similiar to one piece bathing suits, and the very bright lights that remained on the entire time. After two darker and deeper pieces in a row, it was a very positive dance, and ended the concert with a very classic and elegant feel.

Our own Heather Glabe performed in the last piece, and despite all of her worries, succeeded completely. Glabe looked angelic in her movements, and really stood out among the rest due to her passion and extreme dedication to the art. According to the Daily 49'er's article CSULB dancers 'penetrate the minds of the audience,' "The Art of Breathing" had a more majestic and royal feel, partly due to the J.S. Bach cantata the dancing complied to. The article also said that the 16 dancers in royal blue leotards with their hair up and away from their faces looked elegant, and it was the least interpretive performance of the night, consisting of a balanced blend between ballet and modern movements.

The MFA Dance Concert 2011 runs until May 1, and tickets are still available through the dance department's website. Overall, the concert has a little something for everybody, and promises to leave everyone pleased.


Left to right, Michelle Brandin, Belinda Lutes, Jill Schroeder, Sarah White and Samantha Chapparone perform “The Art of Breathing” by Jessica Kondrath at the CSULB MFA dance concert. The performance included choreography by CSULB graduate dance students. Photo Credit: Gregory R.R. Crosby



Taking it back to the beginning

Some students are involved with the dance department on campus because it is a part of their academic coursework or simply to try something new, but for one student in specific, the annual dance showcase is a chance to get back where she started.

Beginning ballet student Jacque Gutierrez
doing a posed ballet movement outside
of her class. Photo Credit:
Nichole Hamilton

Jacque Gutierrez, 19, is a psychology major at CSULB, along with being a former student of dance. Gutierrez started dancing when she was around three years old, and continued for nine years up until she took up tennis in high school. While she hasn't danced in nearly five years, she is currently enrolled in beginning ballet on campus. While the class was taken purely for fun, it reminded Gutierrez of how much dance really means to her.

"I completely love dancing," said Gutierrez. "Dancing, ballet in particular, is beautiful. When I dance, I feel beautiful and especially graceful. When I was in ballet (as a child), I dreamed of playing Claire in the Nutcracker. I always looked up to the girl they chose to play her every winter - unfortunately, I never got to play her because I was too young, and left before I was old enough."

For Gutierrez this is an opportunity to display her talents, while embracing her love for the art. The showcase is a chance for family and friends of the dancers to come see the culmination of their efforts, choreographed by our own Heather Glabe, but in a casual atmosphere so that there's not too much pressure. The dancers perform in a classroom, with their supporters and fans seated in the front as spectators. When asked about the nerves that come along with performances for many, Gutierrez didn't seem too worried.

"I would say I'm much more excited than nervous, probably because I'm pretty used to performing" said Gutierrez. "I really just hope to achieve showing off all of the skills I've learned in this class. I've performed in numerous performances with my dance studio over the years, so that could be why I'm not too nervous."

The dance showcase is scheduled for May 6 at 6 pm. It is open to everybody, so make your way to the Dance Center, and support Jacque Gutierrez in her first performance in five years.

"Going back to dance after five years of not dancing was eye opening," said Gutierrez. "I'm inspired to go back to dance in a studio since unfortunately there's no more room in my schedule."

___________________________________

UPDATE: The dance showcase took place on May 4 in the CSULB Dance Center where students, teachers, and parents alike all squeezed into a studio to cheer on their peers and loved ones.

The turn out was great for the highly anticipated event, and there were many more audience members than expected. Parents arrived with bouquets of roses to cheer on their performers, whether they performed in a ballet piece, or an African piece. The many different styles made for a fun and unique casual night of dance.

While many were going into the performance feeling nervous or anxious, the relaxed and fun atmosphere allowed the students to just have a good time. Gutierrez' performance went on without a hitch, and the beginning ballet group recieved heavy accolade.

Final week preparations

Along with the intense physical rehearsals that come with an approaching show, there's also the more mental and technical aspects that consume the performers.


The MFA Concert is only one week away, and Glabe is really strapping down. As covered previously, rehearsals are increasing in number and intensity. During this final week before the show, Glabe filled us in on all of the necessary preparations that are being made.

"We are continuing to rehearse and 'clean'," said Glabe. "Making sure that we are all dancing the movement in the same way at the same times when we are supposed to be in unison is very important. We will also have our lighting rehearsal on Thursday where we will wear our costumes onstage so that Andy Milhan, the lighting designer, can set up lights that complement the dance."

The official show poster for the
2011 MFA Concert featuring Heather
Glabe.
Photo Credit: Tom Gallo.

With all of the rehearsing that's being done, some of the nerves and anxiety are finally relaxed; however, there's always a little apprehension. Glabe shared her insecurities, and what she's working on to build some confidence.

"The piece is coming along well," said Glabe. "However, I worry about the unison sections because there are so many women in this dance. Each of us has a different body and way of approaching the material, so I worry about us dancing together in performance. I'm not so confident about a couple of things, one being balancing on one leg facing the black curtain - it's basically like balancing blinded or staring into a swirling abyss. The other thing is I have a small duet/solo where I'm doing movement that is different from the others, but spatially, I feel like it gets stuck and tangled in itself so I'll need to keep working on that part so that I can feel more confident."
With things that Glabe feels she needs to work on in order to boost her confidence, there's always the unexpected and looming fears. When anticipating a big event or performance, people's irrational fears and worries start to add even more pressure - and Glabe is no exception.

"Nothing too unexpected has happened yet, this type of stuff usually happens DURING the show week of course," joked Glabe. "Don't worry though, we have an understudy. But really, my biggest fear is probably falling off my leg in an obvious way or getting kicked in the face at some point. I guess I'm also afraid of getting too nervous and anxious. When I only perform in only one piece in a concert, the pressure for that one piece really gets to me somehow."

All in all, the hard work and rehearsals are helping to ease Glabe's fears, even though there are always insecurities that are natural when under a moment of heavy pressure. No matter what happens Glabe just wants to enjoy herself, and ultimately have fun.

"Really, I just hope to have a good time," said Glabe. There is the potential in performance to reach a transcendent place where you feel like you energy is filling the room, not just your body. This feeling is to me the sign of a good performance and I hope that I can achieve this feeling each time."

Making the final touches

With the MFA Concert just around the corner, Glabe and dancers are putting their strengths to the test and putting in all the necessary extra rehearsal time - that I was allowed to sit in on.  

The first group of dancers went through their
portion of their routine to music before cleaning it
in more detail. Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton


Sitting in on their rehearsal was eye-opening, for many reasons. These dancers put in a substantial amount of time to rehearse their piece, The Art of the Breathing by their very accomodating choreographer, Jessica Kondrath. They allowed me to enter their world, and watch what keeps them going. The concert begins next weekend, putting the pressure on these dedicated dancers to finish and perfect their choreographer's vision.



While Glabe is a graduate student performing in the piece, a large majority of the group consists of undergraduates. With 15 plus performers, rehearsal time is essential in making everyone look like one unified group with the same goal in their movements.

 

Glabe, standing, performing with other
dancers to music before cleaning
the next  portion of the piece.
Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton

For the process of the rehearsal itself, it seemed to have a very mechanical way that it worked. The choreographer, Kondrath, would select a portion of the material that she wanted to go over and perfect. The dancers would then line up in formation, and they would do that portion to music. Then, the next step began.



After they performed it once to music, they would spend around five minutes in between performances to ask multiple questions and recieve clarifications on movements they were performing. There was constant interaction between students and teacher, and really made for a wonderful learning environment. With that I feel that I must mention, that these young dancers had a very cohesive bond that was extremely evident right when I entered the room. Everyone welcomed each other, and that closeness really adds to their interaction in the piece.

 

Glabe, center, and her fellow dancers going over
a portion of their piece.
Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton



After the five minute or so cleaning, they would then perform it to music again, and review their changes to see if they worked as they had hoped. Once that portion was cleaned to Kondrath's liking, they would move on to the next portion, and repeat the process over again.

 Overall, the process was very relaxed. While they were constantly working hard at achieving their set goals for that portion, the girls had time to laugh and really enjoy what they were doing. There was no tension in the room, and it allowed them to really express themselves in a peaceful environment, rather than stressing out over the upcoming performance.

The way that their rehearsals are held really help make the piece what it is. With only one week left to finalize all of the finishing touches, the dancers were all excited at the opportunity to perform and display their hard work.

Glabe and dancers perform their piece in its entirety while their choreographer,
Kondrath, observes. Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton

Breaking ground

While some go to college to pursue one specific goal or career path, others juggle two of their passions equally in hopes of breaking new ground.

Floyd Linzie standing outside of the dance
center before his intermediate
modern class. Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton

Floyd Linzie, 23, is a first year transfer student at CSULB. While journalism is his set major, Linzie also hopes to audition to enter the dance department. While both are very different career paths, Floyd is drawn to both of them for different reasons.



"What drew me to journalism was the broadcasting side of things - being in front of the camera, as well as behind," said Linzie. "I want to start off with production, and eventually work my way up to something like executive producer. I've always wanted to break ground, because there's not a whole lot of diversity in the field. As for dance, I started when I watched my friend, and thought to myself, I should try this out. I took a hop-hop class and fell in love with it immediately. Ever since I started dancing, I've been trying to elevate myself and my skills."

As Linzie is embarking on his journey to balance the two things he lives for in life, he does face some challenges. Along with the coursework and out of the classroom experience that comes along with succeeding in journalism, dance requires some extra fine-tuning out of the classroom, along with heavy physical demand.

Floyd Linzie practicing his modern routine
inside of the dance center at CSULB.
Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton

"The biggest challenge in balancing both is trying to focus on two subjects that have hardly anything in common," said Linzie. "Although I love both subjects very much, it can sometimes be overwhelming - especially trying to study journalism, but improve my dance technique so that I can succeed in the audition. The physical demands are crazy! One moment I'm sweating in dance class, the next I'm studying in the library. Avoiding injury is also a challenge, because I am always on the go. Having to go from a dance class to a journalism class is extremely tiring."

While Linzie manages to maintain his grades for journalism and his concentration in dance, he couldn't help but gush about his future, and what he wants for himself.

"I know that in my future, I'll still be dancing and working," said Linzie. "More than likely I'll be doing commercial dance, mainly hip hop, jazz, and contemporary, as well as working for a broadcast company and trying to break ground with that. I have never seen an openly gay, black news broadcaster, and I would love to be the first."

Linzie is walking - or dancing - proof that you can tackle and conquer anything you dedicate your focus to. Even though it may seem challenging in the beginning, the payoff in the end should be more than worth it.