In the past, Professor Elizabeth Walton's History of Dance course at UMBC usually drew 18-20 students.  However, for the last few years her enrollment has been closer to 40.

"I can only contribute it to programs like Dancing with the Stars and Glee," Walton said.

Despite the television hype and growing popularity of dance, the dance program at UMBC, which enrolls about 60 students, does not produce its performances on a big budget. 

When the Fall Dance Showcase opens tonight in the third floor black box of the Fine Arts Building, Studio 317, it primarily will be friends and family of the dancers and a few faculty members who comprise the audience.  Costumes will be simple, chosen from the dancers' wardrobes.   And there will be no tech crew.  The students will dance one number, operate the lights and sound for the next, and act as stage managers for the next.

Two of the dances in the program were choreographed by a faculty member.  Artist in Residence, Tzveta Kassabova, worked with student dancers for the entire semester.  Walton noted that guest artists are usually chosen because they complement the other teachers in the department, offering technique and choreography that the students will not get elsewhere. 

Walton said of Kassabova's choreography of her ensemble piece, "it's a large group that moves non-stop. The patterns are amazing." 

Senior Brittany Rollins from Mount Airy who performs in that piece agreed; it is something she feels proud to be a part of. 

When asked about her semester at UMBC, Kassabova bowed her slender head with her halo of curly dark hair and said, "it was such a pleasure to work with these dancers."

Choreography and performance are at the heart of the UMBC dance program.  The remaining eighht pieces in the program were choreographed by students, four juniors and four seniors.  All dances in the show were auditioned and selected by the faculty of the dance department.  

The first dance, entitled "Deranged Cradle" is the third piece that junior Kevin Truitt from Eldersberg has had performed since he came to UMBC.  Like the others, it too is a story dance.  Truitt said when he worked with his dancers, he told them the story.

"I didn't want them just to learn the movements, I wanted them to feel it," Truitt said.  "I use choreography to release emotions from my life."

Just before the dress rehearsal for his piece began, Truitt said, "I choreographed in high school, but I still get nervous." 

In the center of the front row sat Elizabeth Walton, Associate Professor of Dance at UMBC and Director of this Fall Dance Showcase.  Herself a dancer, Walton knew well the excitement and nervousness running through her students as they warmed up before the dress rehearsal.  While she is happy that members of the college community come out to support the dancers, she is hoping that the show tonight may draw more of an audience from the Catonsville community.

Show dates: Dec. 9, 10 and 11

8:00 p.m.

Fine Arts Building Studio 317, third floor

$12.00 general admission, $7.00 students and seniors

For information and reservations, call the Dance Box Office:  410-455-6240