During the last week of January, Antonio Douthit-Boyd and Elinor Harrison, traveled with 12 students to the 2025 Regional American College Dance Conference (ACDA) at Oklahoma University (OU) to attend classes and workshops. Faculty and grad students all taught classes and WashU showed three works in concerts over the week.
Choreography by Elinor Harrison (in collaboration with the dancers) was selected for the encore, “best of the conference” Gala concert. The work, Dune Alpha, was also selected by the adjudicator panel to be shown at ACDA’s 2025 National College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in May.
"This selection reflects the excellent work of the faculty and students in your program, and we are pleased to be able to showcase the piece at the National Festival."
The Central Conference adjudicators Stefanie Batten Bland, Thomas F. DeFrantz, and Daniel Roberts commended the strength of their work with the following remarks:
"A wondering of alternative spaces and times organized as an unpredictable confetti of dance theater. This work encourages us to imagine dance as a conduit for moving within other realms of now and there.”
Dune Alpha Credits:
- Choreographer: Elinor Harrison in collaboration with the dancers
- Dancers: Luke Jasso, Lorraine Stippec, Olivia Wilton
- Music: Tory Z Starbuck
- Lighting Design: Caroline McNinch
- Costume Design: Nikki Glaros
All the more impressive, Ellie and dancers had faced the unanticipated challenge to redesign the dance for half the original cast, and with all new music in just two weeks—a real testament to their commitment, artistry, adaptability and presence.
Congratulations to Ellie and dancers for this terrific accomplishment and honor!
