Undergraduates studying at Taipei National University of the Arts’ Dance Department are giving their annual Spring Dance Concert (2016舞蹈學院初夏展演:有一點裸體) this weekend, with a triple bill that promises something for everyone.
The show opens with Esprit de Corps by Australian contemporary choreographer Leigh Warren. The work, which was created for the Royal Australian Ballet, has been restaged for freshman students.
Given the school and faculty’s strong links to the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (雲門舞集), it is no surprise that the students were given a chance to tackle excerpts from artistic director Lin Hwai-min’s (林懷民) 2001 creation, Cursive (行草), which gave them a chance to practice his qigong and breathing techniques.
Photo Courtesy of Chang Chia-hao
However, pride of place has gone to a new work by alumnus Lin Yuju (林祐如), A Little Bit of Nudity (有一點裸體). Having earned a bachelor’s degree in 2003 and a masters in fine arts in 2007, after a stint with Cloud Gate 2 (雲門 2) and other troupes, she has been gradually building up a respectable portfolio of choreography, with pieces chosen by the National Theater Concert Hall — the Young Stars, New Vision 2010 — program — and the 2011 Next Choreography Project I, among others.
There is a regular shuttle bus that runs from the Guandu MRT station (關渡) to the university; just get off at the first bus stop on campus and there will be posters directing people to the theater.
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm at Taipei National University of the Arts Theater (國立臺北藝術大學展演藝術中心戲劇廳), 1 Xueyuan Rd, Taipei City (台北市學園路1號)
■ Tickets are NT$400, available online at www.artsticket.com.tw, at convenience store ticketing kiosks and at the door.
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