In the spirit of “So, You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent,” and other popular reality shows, the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance at Dean College presents Choreographers’ Concert for Dance Momentum weekend beginning this Friday, February 21, 2014, featuring Dean College dance students and renowned guest choreographer judges. The Choreographers’ Concert will take place at 8:00 p.m. in the Guidrey Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors/children and can be purchased on the website by visiting the event calendar or by calling 508-541-1605.

Join us this Thursday, February 20th as the men's and women's basketball teams challenge CCRI.  The men will play at 6:00 p.m. followed by the women's game at 8:00 p.m. These games were rescheduled due to inclement weather last week.  Don't forget to "Think Pink" and wear your best pink attire to support breast cancer.

Twenty-eight students from Dean College participated in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Hyannis MA from January 28 through to February 2.

The KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.

In January and February of each year, regional festivals showcase the finest of each region's entered productions and offer a variety of activities, including workshops, symposia, and regional-level award programs.

Dean College students received high recognition at this year’s regional festival in Hyannis.  Highlights of the festival included:  Chet Davino and Griffin Kulp were semifinalists in the Irene Ryans Auditions; Alex Boyle and Feddy Au-Yeung participated and performed in the Richard Maltby Music Theatre Initiative; Bernardo Brandt was cast in a 10 minute play; several Dean Students auditioned for and received apprenticeships with Commonwealth Shakespeare; and James Hansen rose to the level in the final interviews for the Stage Management Review

Dean College also received several awards during the festival, including: Merit Award for Dean College's Production Cabaret, Kit Kat Girls, Outstanding Musical Ensemble; Merit Award for Dean College's Production of Cabaret, Lauren Alifano, Outstanding Accomplishment as a Choreographer; Merit Award for Dean College's Production of Godspell, Dori Bryan-Ployer, Impressive Varied and Creative Choreography; Regional Finalist for Poster Design award, Crimes of the Heart, Robert White.  In addition, Aaron Louque received an award for Outstanding Intern for Design and Technology.

Click here to learn more about the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Three Dean College athletes accepted offers to continue their college football careers on National Signing Day this past Wednesday, February 5th.  Dean’s offensive tackle Liam Porter signed to play NCAA Division I football with the Minutemen at UMASS-Amherst, linebacker Jason Sylva signed with the NCAA Division I Western Michigan Broncos and wide receiver Tye Richardson signed to play NCAA Division II football with the Valdosta State Blazers.

National Signing Day, usually the first Wednesday of February, is the first day that players sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football with a school that is a member of the United States National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 

Click here to learn more about Dean College football.

In the spirit of “So, You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent,” and other popular reality shows, the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance at Dean College presents Choreographers’ Concert for Dance Momentum weekend beginning on Friday, February 21, 2014, featuring Dean College dance students and renowned guest choreographer judges.  Additionally, Dean College will host Master Classes open to the public on February 22, 2014.

“Dancers and dance lovers in the community should mark Feb. 21st and 22nd in their calendars as an important and inspiring weekend of dance,” said Julianne Pedersen O’Brien, Dean of the School of Dance. Dancers will get the chance to take classes in Contemporary, Afro-Modern, Hip Hop, and Modern Repertory from renowned performer/choreographers, as well as participate in a talk back session with the artists.”

The Choreographers’ Concert on Friday, February 21st will take place at 8:00 p.m. in the Guidrey Center, featuring Dean College dance students and renowned guest choreographer judges. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors/children.  The College will host master classes on February 22, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  The fee is $70, which includes lunch and your choice of attending one to all four classes. 

The two-day dance event features David Parker teaching a modern technique class with elements of choreographic investigation, Nyama McCarthy Brown teaching Afro-Modern, Marc Kimelman teaching Hip Hop, and Martin Lofsnes teaching traditional modern technique.

David Parker is the artistic director of The Bang Group, commissioned by The American Dance Festival, The Yard, and Dance Theater Workshop.

Dr. Nyama McCarthy-Brown holds a PhD in Dance Education and Cultural Studies from Temple University.  She is a visiting professor at Bowdoin College.  Additionally, she has performed with Ballethnic Dance Company. 

Marc Kimelman has worked with the New York City Ballet, Katy Perry, Phish, Neil Young, and Chaka Kahn.  His Broadway credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Broadway Bares, and Play It Cool. 

Martin Lofsnes is a principle dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, a dancer with Maurice Bejart and Matthew Bourne, and faculty with the Ailey School and Martha Graham School.  Additionally, he is the artistic director of 360º Dance Company. 

Pedersen O’Brien added, “it is an affordable and exciting day of dancing and learning about dance, and it is an honor to bring these guest to the regional community! It is a dance weekend not to be missed.”

To purchase tickets to the Choreographer’s Concert visit the calendar of events page at www.dean.edu.  To register for a Master Class, visit www.dean.edu/worldofdance or contact Tracy Lane at (508) 541-1606 or via email at tlane@dean.edu.