UA Dance Students to Perform in Edinburgh Festival

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Yonder Contemporary Dance Company, a collective in The University of Alabama’s department of theatre and dance, will present a 50-minute concert titled “IRL” during the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.

The performances will run Aug. 4-10.

Yonder’s “IRL” involves 15 dance majors, overseen by Sarah M. Barry, UA associate professor of dance. They are collaborating with five student composers from UA’s School of Music, who are overseen by Dr. Amir Zaheri, assistant professor of composition.

The collaboration also includes a media specialist from UA’s department of advertising and public relations, overseen by Mark Barry, director of creative advertising specialization. The dance majors will perform “IRL” at the Greenside @ Nicolson Square venue in Edinburgh.

“’IRL”  focuses on the pervasive nature of technology and illuminates the jarring battle between everyone and everything that competes for our attention,” said Barry, who is the artistic director of the company. “We have tried to address this material from different angles because there are a variety of perspectives to consider.

“Some are big and obvious while others are more nuanced. We have worked hard to keep the discussion open and the research ongoing. The show will continue to evolve as we share our work and take in audience feedback.”

To prepare for the performances, Yonder participants hosted master classes and performances during a regional tour in spring 2018. Sites included the Dance Foundation in Birmingham; Florence Academy of Fine Arts in Florence; the Buckman Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee; and the Marcus Jewish Community Center  in Atlanta.

“The tour allowed students to make and refine their creative work and performance over a longer time to different audiences, giving them a window into the professional company life of touring, teaching, performing, writing grants, fundraising and promoting dance,” Barry said.

While in Edinburgh, the students will stay at Salsbury Court Flats near Holyrood Park.

UA’s Office of the Provost, College of Arts and Sciences, Study Abroad and the Dance Program are supporting the performances; the group also received a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts License Tag Fund.

For more information, visit Yonder’s Facebook page and follow them on social media @yonderdanceco. Also, interested parties may contact Sarah Barry at smbarry@ua.edu.