Annika Sheaff led two dynamic dance classes at the conference. Photo: Annika Sheaff
The School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) was well represented at the American College Dance Association’s South-Central Conference, with three faculty and staff members participating at the event.
Founded in 1971 by college and university dance educators, the association was established to foster a national network for dance in higher education. It sponsors regional conferences and national festivals that celebrate and elevate excellence in performance, choreography and dance scholarship at the collegiate level.
This year’s South-Central Conference, featured SCCDance faculty and students in performances, workshops, panels and guest artist classes. Students and faculty also had their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals.
Featured SCCDance faculty and staff:
- Annika Sheaff, assistant professor
- Chad R. Jung, assistant professor of professional practice in dance lighting design and production
- William Labossiere, instructional staff musician
Exploring New Frontiers in Dance: Annika Sheaff
Sheaff presented two dance films at the conference and led two dynamic dance classes.
Sheaff directing a dance class. Photo: Annika Sheaff
Her first film, “Exequies,” explores themes of loss and grief, examining how individuals navigate these emotions. Sheaff not only directed and choreographed the piece but also handled post-production editing. The film’s cinematography is by Evan Adler of Focus Films Productions, featuring dancers Jonathan Alsberry, Lucie Baker, Lauren Garson and Michael Marquez.
The second film, “gasping,” focuses on the contrast between loneliness and community.
“This research feels extremely relevant as the U.S. Surgeon General just declared that America is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness,” said Sheaff. “How do we find ways of connecting to each other and creating more collective joy?”
Sheaff directed, choreographed and edited this piece as well. The cinematography is also by Focus Films Productions, with dancers Jonathan Alsberry, Lauren Garson, Michael Marquez and Navarra Novy-Williams.