Solstice is a concert of dance. It is a well-rehearsed show that is one of Millikin’s most impressive and fan-favored events.
So, what does it entail?
Every December, faculty, choreographers, and dancers have an opportunity to show off their skills at Solstice: A Concert of Dance. This fan favorite is choreographed by both students and faculty who have a passion for dance.
Solstice took place on Thursday, December 12, at 7:30 pm; Friday, December 13, at 7:30 pm; and Saturday, December 14, at 2:00 pm in the Virginia Rogers Theatre, and Professor Angela Fleddermann Miller directed the show.
Solstice is a wonderful opportunity for student choreographers to show off what they have learned during their time in the dance program at Millikin.
This show is also a chance for dancers to express their skills through these pieces. With the concert being towards the end of the semester, it is used as a celebration of what has been learned so far.
When attending Solstice, there is a chance for students to experience the best of the dance program at Millikin and appreciate the fine arts events that are offered.
Many students and faculty put in hard work to make this annual concert. Solstice costume designers and stage crew put together a well-organized show to respect the labor of all those who worked hard to make it come together.
There is an intentional use of colors in Solstice, and during many dances, the background and the costumes that the dancers wear are complementary colors. This makes the performances eye-catching for the audience and allows the dancers to stand out from their surroundings.
Similarly, the costumes chosen contrasted from dance to dance not only in color but also in style. This only further emphasized the difference in dance styles and choreography.
The student choreographers who have a piece in Solstice do an excellent job of showcasing their expertise and conveying the message they want to portray to the audience.
Throughout each dance, there was a new story that was being told, and it is noteworthy how these choreographers chose to portray their varying themes and ideas.
Through different characters, music genres, and the number of dancers in each piece, the audience can really feel the messages that are being sent.
Every dancer has a personal style when dancing, no matter what the theme or form of dance is. In Solstice, the choreographers chose dancers to be in their numbers, which added a personal flair that would only increase the effect that the dance has on those who see it.
Each dance during the show had its own style; certain dances had jazz elements, modern elements, and more traditional elements that only further showed the dancer’s technique and duality.
All of the dance numbers in the show featured many dancers, and oftentimes they weren’t doing the same exact moves or were doing roll-offs, which kept the audience’s attention due to how much there was to watch.
This aspect is what compels the audience to return for multiple nights or to return the next year, as they can watch the shows multiple times and still realize moves that they haven’t before.
The dancers and choreographers showed skilled musicality in dances with instrumental music and songs by how they were able to keep time with the music.
Overall, Solstice is an amazing dance concert that everyone can learn something from and a great opportunity to support their fellow Millikin students.
