Performances on March 10 and 11
Information provided by Governors State University
UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. (March 2, 2023) – The Governors State University Dance Company will present “RISE UP! Truth to Power” on March 10 and 11 at the Center for Performing Arts.
With original choreography by GSU faculty, students, and alumni, RISE UP! features diverse and provocative performances that include hip-hop, praise dance, contemporary, modern jazz, and more.
Company Director and Assistant Professor of Dance Megan Lindsay says the show will tackle a variety of themes, including, “social justice inequities, abuse of power, breaking generational curses; the role of religion and the church in restoring and affirming community strength and power, mental health stigma, and the need for systematic change.”
The company has been in rehearsal since mid-September; crafting eight dances for the production. The company will also continue its history of collaborating with local dance companies. Three local dance companies will participate in RISE UP! including: Safe Haven Arts Productions founded by GSU dance company member Tashona Butts, the Crete-Monee High School Warrior Guard Team in collaboration with company member Renee Striverson, and Studio on Main is collaborating with alumna and dance company member Sadee Wuerthrich.
GSU student and Company President Marquis Parks said, “As a Black man that struggles with every one of these issues (police brutality, body positivity, self-empowerment, and bullying), it’s challenging to find an outlet to address my concerns. I would not want anyone to experience any of these situations. I believe that we are doing a justice to society by raising awareness and advocating for change.”
The goal of the performance is to spark conversations about such issues and amplify voices of those who have been silenced or unheard.
The company has dedicated RISE UP! to Chasette Simeon, GSU student and company member who passed away in November 2022.
Members of the Governors State Dance company are Marquis Parks, Trinity Jones, Jaiana Eckles, Amber Kelley, My’Anna Perdue, Dakota Keel, Tatyana Wilkins, Lanise Stinson, Tasia Washington, Imani Jackson, Tyra Barnes, Nia Baker, Delilah Harris, Jazmin Butler, Aja Unger, Renee Striverson, Tashona Butts, Tamar Clark, Brezhan Durant, Navia McDonald, Nicole Thompson, and Sadee Wuethrich.
Tickets and performances
Tickets are $15 and $10 for students with valid I.D. To purchase tickets, call 708-235-2222, visit www.CenterTickets.net, or visit the box office. Box office hours are: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The box office is open two hours prior show times.
“RISE UP! Truth to Power” has two performances: Friday, March 10, 2023, 7:30 p.m., and
Saturday, March 11, 2022, 7:30 p.m.
The Governors State University Center for Performing Arts is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park.
