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Senior to showcase work at the 2008 National College Dance Festival

Seniors Kaitlin Morse (left) and Zenas Hutcheson perform Hutcheson´s "Three Way Bulb," a contemporary dance piece selected for inclusion in the 2008 National College Dance Festival in New York City this June.

February 15, 2008

Zenas Hutcheson ´08 nominated for festival´s top choreography award

New London, Conn. - A contemporary dance piece by Connecticut College senior Zenas Hutcheson has been selected for inclusion in the 2008 National College Dance Festival in New York City this June. The piece was one of three chosen by a panel of judges for inclusion in the national festival during the New England Regional Dance Festival hosted by Connecticut College last weekend.

Hutcheson also has been nominated for the American College Dance Festival Association Dance Magazine´s 2008 Outstanding Student Choreographer Award. The award is to be decided at the National Festival.

Hutcheson´s piece, "Three Way Bulb," was one of 49 dances adjudicated by a panel of distinguished dance professionals at the regional festival. Performed by Hutcheson and fellow seniors Halee Beucler and Kaitlin Morse, it was one of 10 selected for inclusion in the festival´s gala performance at Connecticut College Feb. 10.

"I am thrilled to have this work selected for the national festival and to have been nominated for the student choreography award," Hutcheson said. "What excites me most is the opportunity to perform in New York City and to again share the stage with Halee and Kaitlin."

Hutcheson, a dance major, said his piece was inspired by the emotionally challenging lives of the poets he studied while taking a class with Professor Charles Hartman, Connecticut College´s poet-in-residence.

David Dorfman, Connecticut College´s William Meredith Associate Professor of Dance, called Hutcheson´s work "a thoughtful and moving piece that evokes a shared experience between dancers and viewers."

"We have a legacy of artistic excellence and innovation in dance at Connecticut College," Dorfman added, "It is a great honor to have the college represented at the 2008 National College Dance Festival."

The National College Dance Festival, which will be held at the Miller Theatre in New York City June 4 - 6, is a biennial event that showcases choreography culled from 10 regional conferences. At this year´s New England regional festival at Connecticut College, 36 colleges and universities visited and presented at total of 71 dances, while some 600 students took classes and attended workshops held around campus.

Founded in 1971, the American College Dance Festival Association´s primary focus is to support and promote the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent throughout college and university dance departments. The conferences also provide a unique opportunity for students and faculty to have their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals. ACDFA has established 10 regions throughout the country and current membership is in excess of 300 institutions.

For more information contact: Amy Sullivan (860) 439-2526; amy.sullivan@conncoll.edu