By JOSHUA COBB
Reporter

(Warrensburg, Mo.) – The University of Central Missouri’s Department of Theatre and Dance and music department collaborated on April 20-22 to present Seasons. Associate Dance Professor Ashley Miller directed the original play that details a young woman’s journey through life using the four seasons. Michael Benson,

Michael Benson, an assistant professor of scene design and technology, said that Seasons is different because it is dance oriented. Benson said that the story is primarily told through the actors’ movements and not through props or dialogue.

“The production relied on different lighting so there could be a focus on the movement,” Benson said. “Dance is a completely different animal.”

Benson said the departure from a traditional theater performance was however relatively smooth and compared to the previous shows the production of Seasons was relatively challenge free.

‘The main prop was actually leftover from and old production,” Benson said. “In order for us to recycle the prop we just had to repaint it.”

‘Seasons’ main prop was a large descending window that the performers interacted with during each part of the performance. The prop was also used as a way to represent the four different seasons and paired with original poetry that served as a narration between each of the four seasons.

Janis Glover, an instructor for the theater and dance department, said that ‘Seasons’ is a serious show, but despite the show’s serious tone the story is subtle for almost all ages and is one that everyone can relate to.

“’Seasons’ is truly about the seasons of life,” Glover said. “ Spring represents birth, Summer represents childhood, Fall represents adulthood, and Winter represents death.”

Though the story seems simple, in order for it be effectively told all three departments had to work together.

Glover said that in order for the show to work it required a tremendous collaboration from all three departments. The Chamber Wind Ensemble, conducted by graduate assistants Kirsten Arpin and Connor Tipping, provided live music for the performance.

‘Seasons’ served as the sixth and final production of the 2016-2017 school year. The theater department plans on opening the 2017-2018 school year with a production of ‘Footloose’.