At BroadStage, Synapse rehearsal reflects on growth and return
Santa Monica College’s Synapse Contemporary Dance Theater dancers explored movement, collaboration, and artistic growth during their dress rehearsal at BroadStage on April 29 ahead of two performances May 2 and 3. The program, led by artistic directors Jae Lee and Mark Tomasic, mixed hip-hop, jazz, contemporary and ballet numbers, including works by students, faculty, alumni and guest choreographers.
Synapse was founded more than 50 years ago by Linda Gold. It remains a central part of SMC’s dance program, giving students opportunities to perform and choreograph in a professional setting.
“I started dancing here when I was 18,” said SMC alum and guest choreographer João Ducci, who presented “Tidal Treasures” in collaboration with the dancers. “I was a drama major originally, and fell in love with dance. Now I’m here guest choreographing. It’s so interesting to see the dancers in the beginning of their development as artists, and to see the seedlings of what they might become,” Ducci said.
Guest choreographer Malia Baker opened with “Last Train,” a jazz dance piece about public transit and shared experience. Guest artists Kybele Dance Theater performed a two-part piece by Artistic Director and Choreographer Seda Aybay, “Anima Oppressae (Part 1)” and “Anima Motus (Part 2).”
“The faculty here is very experienced and dedicated,” Ducci said. “They’re really focused on the training of the technique, which is what dancers really need to open up as artists. They need a foundation.”
Among other faculty pieces were Karen McDonald’s “Driven” and Jae Lee’s “Unmapped.” “Driven” looked at ambition, resilience, hope, and purpose as the invisible forces that move us through life. “Unmapped” explored the act of moving into the unknown via contemporary ballet.
SMC Associate Professor Vanessa Van Wormer’s "Scarlet Town” was also a collaboration with the dancers, inspired by people’s stories and how they can change them.
SMC students also presented new works. “Common Ground,” a hip-hop piece choreographed by Maite Garcia, Kiari Lee Montgomery and Liz Perez, played with community in motion. Individual dancers showed their own styles on stage while synced by rhythm. SMC student Chai Nwagbara’s “Terminal Escape” used contemporary dance to reflect on the rapid changes of this era and the fear and rigidity they can breed.
Now 10 years into his career, Ducci reflected on his time at SMC. “Without this program I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I can definitely see the things that I was working on when I was here. …Seeing them get to experience that now, it’s really, really fun.”
In the program’s director’s note, Lee and Tomasic said, “As you engage in this performance, we invite you to open your hearts and find truth, beauty, inspiration, and meaning wherever you might.” Echoing Ducci’s reflections about his journey since SMC, maybe for the students on stage that meaning was right there: a look at where they are now, and a hint of where they’re going.