From February 29 to March 2, Zodiac Dance Company brought swirling colors and rhythmic movement to the UB Drama Theater Stage for its 49th annual spring performance.
Different groups of dancers performed. The group rehearsed individually in their respective studios before coming together for Space and Technology Week.
The opening number, “Virus E.,” tells the story of a post-apocalyptic viral outbreak that attacks the dancers and engulfs them like an epidemic. The dancers set the tone for the performance with their disturbing zombie-like movements and harsh lighting. This eerie effect is conveyed only through a combination of human skill and stagecraft versatility.
The performance required two weeks of technical rehearsal and several more weeks of technical preparation. Twenty-three moving lights were used, along with unprecedented and innovative technology, created specifically for this performance.
The second song, “Dance Sense,” was an incredible piece of creation and problem solving for the technical team. Each dancer wore sensors on different parts of their bodies that interacted with elements on stage to generate a soundtrack and lighting display. The technical team had to develop new hardware and software to accommodate the project.
“It was something new for the department,” said Joyce Chen, a junior theater major who served as stage manager for the performance. “We had to work with a new professor in the media department to do the mixing.”
As each act hit the stage, the audience was struck by a new wave of awe and stunned surprise. Each time the curtain was cut, a new synergy of technology and talent was introduced.
“It was like a blink of an eye when the curtains closed,” Chen said. “It cleared my mind and allowed me to be amazed again at what was in front of me.”
“Front Page” featured dancers tearing up newspapers in a frenzied motion, reflecting contemporary dissatisfaction with world affairs and the media. Headlines confessing abject loss rolled across the projection screen, and the stage became a torrent of tattered articles.
“Trip the Light,” on the other hand, had a more carefree energy. A tap dancing duet ticked through a vibrant compilation of upbeat songs.
When the dancers gathered for “Z'Bows”,” The final number, and the only one featuring the entire company, showcased the dancers' diverse talents in their entirety. The dancers had the opportunity to perform a short routine that showcased their individual strengths before coming together to complete the bow as a whole.
The company has begun new preparations for next year's 50th anniversary celebration.
Access to the art desk is as follows: arts@ubspectrum.com
