By Daily Press staff
Cutting loose from the conventions of the closed proscenium theater, Santa Monica College’s Synapse Dance Theater has been performing in a variety of unconventional spaces all semester, with two final concerts set for June 2 at the SMC Pavilion.
The student dance company will perform an eclectic program of original work that includes modern dance, jazz, hip-hop and mixed media. Performances are at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The company has been presenting works throughout campus — including a parking structure — and on the Third Street Promenade, the Venice Boardwalk, area middle and high schools, and at college dance festivals. Works will include choreography by Synapse Artistic Director Linda Gold and guest artists Cati Jean and Nguyen Nguyen.
Student choreographers include Marshall Bang, Dawid Bienkowski, Janelle Green, Cricket Hamar, Merdean Munez, and Theryl Smith. Their work also was performed at the American College Dance Festival in March at Montclair State University in New Jersey.
Gold is a dancer/choreographer who has toured throughout the world, consistently winning critical praise from such publications as the New York Times. Her recent performances in Spirit Dances 6 and The World Festival of Sacred Music in Los Angeles were commended by the Los Angeles Times. A member of Dance Films Association, she has been part of selection juries for the American Choreography Awards presented by the Academy of Dance on Film.
Synapse, SMC’s contemporary dance ensemble, performs regularly at SMC and throughout the Southwest. Past performances have included the Getty Center, Cast Theater in Hollywood, Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, Electric Lodge in Venice, and American College Dance Festivals in New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for students and senior citizens. Call (310) 434-3000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 27, 2006. Read the original PDF.