SLU art department production

"Dancing to Romeo and Juliet -
(And Acting and Singing too)"

by Daphne Binioris



Rehearsals are underway to choreograph the story of Romeo & Juliet and to welcome all the campus arts departments on stage for this year´s SLU Madrid Dance Performance scheduled for Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm.

"This will be the first time that they are going to incorporate theater, music and choir, all into the performance. Every other year they were separate, but this year they are going to sing while students dance. They are going to raise dead Juliet while the choir sings," said Susi Peces-Barbara, the head of the dance department.

In addition to complimenting the story of Romeo & Juliet, mixing instrument, voice and theater into the dance performance promotes SLU Madrid´s range of arts programs.

"I like the idea of bringing together the different performing arts groups because I think there´s a general lack of awareness. It seems students are into what they are doing and they don´t seem to reach out to see the other opportunities," said Cathie Smith, a permanent student participating in the theater department.

Also, for those who are visiting the Madrid Campus, the collaboration between the arts departments helps to unify students.

"It´s such a small campus with a revolving door, people come in and out all the time. Bringing all the different departments together for one show helps us to see what´s going on, even for me who’s a part of that revolving door, it helps to feel a part of something that’s not just the dance class," said Mike Studer, a visiting student taking Beginners Latin Rhythms.

Currently the beginner dance classes are fuller than ever, getting ready to salsa on stage for all of SLU. Plus, the advanced dance classes are scheming to add an element of surprise to the event.

Although the dancers have yet to cross paths with the other departments, as rehearsals unfold, when the semester is over and students are ready to showcase their work, everyone comes to support their friends and see what SLU has to offer.