In early March, the Scripps College Dance Department traveled to Ohio University for the American College Dance Association (ACDA) East-Central Conference to take classes, perform, and bond with students, faculty, and guest artists. As part of the conference, Cynthia Irobunda ’18, a psychology and dance double major, created and performed her original solo choreography, Nneka, for the adjudicated showcase. Nneka was then selected to be performed during the conference’s closing gala.
The East-Central Conference adjudicators were George de la Pena, Tiffany Mills, and Helanius Wilkins, who described the strength of Nneka in the following way: “Selected for its sophisticated choreography that is richly layered, embodying the attitude, spirit, sensuality and unabashed sassiness that conjures up all things power, grace, and phenomenal woman. Drawing from dances of the African diaspora, it is executed by the performer as if a jazz improviser, polycentric, and moving in and out of the music score.”
Following the March events, Irobunda and the Scripps Dance Department were selected to represent the ACDA East-Central Conference at the association’s prestigious National College Dance Festival showcase. Reflecting the most celebrated work by students and faculty from around the country, the performance and festival will take place in June at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.