The following comes from Rowan University’s College of Performing Arts.
“Beloved Community,” an original dance concert inspired by a belief, advanced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others, in a society based on justice, equal opportunity, inclusion, and compassion continues the department of theatre and dance mainstage season at Rowan University. Performances are Dec. 6 to Dec. 9 in the Tohill Theatre.
Directed and choreographed by faculty member Dawn Marie Bazemore, and devised in collaboration with the 19-member student cast, the production features a series of pieces set to pop, rock, gospel and instrumental songs that contribute to the over-arching theme. Each section is derived from writings by the cast and investigates the changes the young women wish to see and make in the world and their communities.
King’s philosophy stated, “The ‘Beloved Community’ is a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth.”
“We reflected on Dr. King’s notion of peaceful co-existence and identified the many ways that it could be a reality today,” Bazemore stated. “The dancers wrote about their personal experiences with loss, love and disability and how those challenges have affected the way they view the world.”
The cast of 19 young women from New Jersey and beyond includes Megan Allison of Fredericksburg, Va.; Jessi Baldosaro of Malaga; Myah Bell of Somerset, Pa.; Kayla Cousins of Pemberton Township; Anastasia Culin of Washington Township; Liz Culver of Safety Harbor, Fl.; Heather Desanto of Aston, Pa.; Rachel Dunn of Chester Springs, Pa.; Kyleigh Errico of Brick; Katie Fashach of Monroe Township; Niambi A. Fetlow of Pennsauken; Sherlana Forgenie of Mount Laurel; Brooke Foster of Burlington; Olivia Matko of Readington; Charlsie Morgan of Sewell; Haley Migeot of Pitman; Kaya Snow of Oak Ridge; Caroline Strehl of Washington Township; and Nicole Testa of Franklinville.
Performances of “Beloved Community” are Dec. 6, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 8p.m. The Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall. Tickets are $15 and $10, with discounts, and can be purchased online at www.Rowan.Tix.com. Tickets for Rowan students are free with valid ID. For more information, call the box office at (856) 256–4545 or email [email protected].
