UA Dance Group Previews Edinburgh Fringe Offering

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Yonder Contemporary Dance Company will debut a piece titled “IRL” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Morgan Auditorium.

The performance is free and open to the public.

Yonder is comprised of University of Alabama students. The group is presenting this preview performance to prepare for a week of shows at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2018. In 2016, the company performed “co/lapse” in Edinburgh.

“IRL” addresses the uncomfortable realities of mental and emotional pollutants and their effects on human nature. Nine choreographers and 17 dancers from the UA’s department of theatre and dance are collaborating with composers from the School of Music as well as a promotions team from the department of advertising and public relations to develop the 50-minute piece.

“IRL” illuminates the jarring battle between everyone and everything that competes for people’s attention, said Sarah M. Barry, artistic director of Yonder and UA associate professor of dance. She said it has been wonderful watching her performers and choreographers explore how their creations contribute to the larger message of the concert.

“The company provides great visibility for the talents of our students, our dance program, our university and even our state, as we will take on touring in the region and eventually in Scotland at the Fringe,” Barry said. “It’s a great experience for the dancers to see how their work is perceived in different communities and to get feedback from the audiences wherever we travel.”

Morgan Moore, senior choreographer for Yonder, said the company allows her to collaborate with dancers, choreographers and composers, making her participation “one of the best decisions for my dance career.”

“I’ve watched how others in the company have worked, and I have learned so much from them,” Moore said. “I hope they have learned from me as well.”

Yonder’s website is at yonderdance.com. To learn more and stay connected with the company, visit Yonder’s Facebook page and follow the group on social media at @yonderdanceco.