As fall classes come to a close and students gear up for final exams, Tufts Dance Collective will perform its first concert of the year and the last big dance concert before break. TDC: Off the Clock will debut tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
"'Off the Clock' [reflects] the freedom that comes once the workday is over and the need for relaxation and fun after a hard day," co-director senior Matt DiPierro said.
TDC is a dance group composed of about 250 members, though this number grows in the spring. According to senior and co-director Adrian Anderson, one of the distinguishing traits of TDC is its openness. Choreographers present their dances at the beginning of the year, and anyone who is interested can sign up. There are no auditions and the only limit is the 26- or 27-student cap for each dance.
The group is co-ed, and the show presents a mixture of co-ed and all-female dances, as well as one all-male dance to a Fatboy Slim medley. The type of dance is more varied than in other groups and includes hip hop, lyrical, jazz, modern and one Bhangra-infused piece. This variety constantly entertains the audience with fresh takes.
The music ranges from a Timbaland medley to a Talking Heads medley to Modest Mouse to the theme from "Pirates of the Caribbean" (2003). The costumes are simple because the group sacrifices a part of its costume budget in order to obtain low ticket prices for Tufts students and other audience members.
The atmosphere surrounding the TDC performance promises to be a lively one. The group wants to promote a relaxed mood where students can come to forget that exams are looming and enjoy a dance performance unlike the others that have been shown this semester.
Both DiPierro and Anderson emphasize that the group is about having fun as well as using TDC as a social experience to make new friends. While this may make the group seem unconcerned with the quality of the dancing, dancers and choreographers put a large portion of time into these dances.
Anderson is very proud of this production, not only because of the quality of the work, but also the process of putting it together.
"Coordinating meetings and dance rehearsals with a group of nearly 250 people is incredibly challenging, but knowing that these people are willing to put their time and effort into making the production a good one is rewarding," Anderson said.
TDC is one of the more popular dance groups on campus, so those who want a ticket should act fast. This popularity demonstrates that TDC is respected and loved by members of the Tufts community who come out not only to support the arts community, but also their friends and family who have put a lot of work into making this production a successful one.
Tickets are being sold in Cohen Box Office at $4 per person, and the show is general admission. TDC: Off the Clock has two showings both on Saturday Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Cohen Auditorium. Come see the last major dance performance before exams - you might even be enticed to join this open and fun-loving dance group.
Tufts Dance Collective: Off the Clock
Directed by Adrian Anderson, Matt DiPierroSaturday Dec. 8, 6:30, 9:30Tickets $4 at Cohen Box Office
