‘Stained Glass’ by Keith Saunders to Represent SCCDance at Fort Worth Dance Festival 

Keith Saunders, associate professor of professional practice, will showcase his ballet piece “Stained Glass” at the 2024 Fort Worth Dance Festival. This dynamic event encourages artistic exchange, highlights diverse dance styles and celebrates the art of dance.

Now in its second year, the festival has invited back the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) to participate, with “Stained Glass” selected to represent the school. 

Last year, SCCDance performed “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” by international performer, dance educator and choreographer Christian von Howard, which was choreographed specifically for the TCU Black Excellence Gala held last September. 

“The festival founder and artistic director, Christen Reyes, is doing excellent work,” said Saunders. “It brings together professional dancers, university and high school programs, shining a light on the vibrant dance scene here in Fort Worth, and we’re very happy to be a part of it.”

Stained Glass  

Saunders created “Stained Glass” for the DanceTCU concerts held every fall and spring, which features invited guest artists who create original works or stage existing pieces for students, along with resident faculty who are also invited to do the same. Saunders was asked to create a new work for the spring 2024 concert. 

“The version being performed at the Fort Worth Dance Festival features a cast of six dancers,” explained Saunders. “It’s a plotless contemporary work, choreographed to excerpts from Philip Glass’s ‘Violin Concerto No. 1.’” 

Saunders’ choreographic process was driven by a simple yet profound approach: responding directly to the music. 

“There are points in the music where I would characterize it as very quiet and contemplative, and then there are other points that are very driving and propulsive,” said Saunders. “It was my and the dancers’ challenge to respond physically to those musical impulses and variations in the piece.”

Saunders is excited for students to have the opportunity to perform “Stained Glass” again, as it’s rare for them to revisit repertoire with each semester featuring new choreography.  

“I’m appreciating this opportunity to revisit the piece — it’s a chance for growth and further exploration,” remarked Saunders.  

SCCDance students attending and performing at the festival will gain valuable insights into a professional performing career.  

“When you’re in a company, especially if you stay with the same company for several years, you’re constantly performing repertoire,” explained Saunders. “It’s an opportunity for the dancers to experience what it takes to perform a work not just once, but to bring something new and fresh to it over repeated performances.”