Though members of the Union College Dance Program won’t be able to join the celebrated Edinburgh Festival Fringe at its home in Scotland this summer, as planned, they will make their work and talents known worldwide through this video.
Like other performing arts events that have been hard hit by the global pandemic, the Fringe, which typically attracts more than 3.5 million people each year, has been canceled.
“It’s of course a great disappointment for everyone who has been working so hard and was excited to be invited to perform at the world’s largest arts festival,” said Dance Program Director Miryam Moutillet. “But we will still be able to present our work through an international social media platform.”
Moutillet and Laurie Zabele Cawley, dance lecturer, were to accompany 13 students to the Fringe’s International Collegiate Theatre Festival (ICTF), where they were scheduled to perform four times. Several other students were assisting on campus with choreography, marketing and rehearsals.
“I hold this project very close to my heart because it is an incredible opportunity for our students and the College,” said Cawley.
Substituting for the live performances, the Union video offers a five-minute glimpse into the Winter Dance Concert, “In Dreams,” which was presented on campus in March. The full dance concert can be seen here.
The ICTF is hosted by WorldStrides, and it features a number of colleges, universities and high schools, with links to Instagram, Twitter and other social media.
“We are still working toward going to Edinburgh in 2021,” said Moutillet. “But for now, our video showcases the joy of dance we foster every day at Union.”
Faculty choreographers for the Winter Dance Concert include Moutillet, Cawley and Freddy Ramirez. Others who were involved are Costumer Designer Brittney Belz, Scenic Designer Andrew Mannion, Lighting Designer Andrew Bodd and Tristan Allen, composer.
Featured choreography is by China Campagnuolo ’20, Madalyn Engvold ’20, Emma Kelly ’21, Marie Lindsey ’21, Michela Michielli ’22, Danielle Pinney ’20 and Abby Polott ’20.