The Duke Dance Collective was conceived on a dry, hot, dusty day. This collaborative effort of Kirsten Allard, Margaret West, Allie Hankins, Lara Theragood and Jennifer Sullivan resulted in Proprioception, which features various perspectives on the concept of limitations. The arid and vast desert inspired these up-and-coming choreographers to cultivate works that are contemporary and post modern. Allards’ work has included multi-media and usually explores a multi-culti movement vocabulary. She is currently investigating themes in gender and social norms, providing a satirical look at sex roles. Hankins’ work has been presented at regional and national American College Dance Festival Association Conferences. Her work, Rudiments/Sediments, a biographical piece about her mother, utilizes both text and movement to convey loss of voice: corrosion of native tongues by salty seas, atrophy of body by multiple sclerosis. West, whose work has also been shown at ACDFA, is known for her strong group pieces that feature theatricality, physical comedy and humor. Quirky gestures and outrageous costumes manifest a futuristic cabaret environment.
