KT
Kathryn Tokar
  • Dance
  • Bay Village, OH

Kathryn Tokar dances in 16th annual Raw Edges

2014 May 6

Kathryn Tokar, one of The Mercyhurst Dancers, performed in the 16th annual presentation of Raw Edges: A Milestone Event on May 2-4, 2014. The performance partnered with the Regional Cancer Center and returning alumni to celebrate 40 years of dance at Mercyhurst University.

In addition, the Saturday evening gala concert on May 3 will honor Artistic Director Tauna Hunter (6-year milestone as a breast cancer survivor) and Production Manager/Resident Designer Michael Gleason for their 20 years at Mercyhurst University, their passionate commitment to dance and their advocacy for breast cancer awareness.

"I am grateful every day for one more day on the planet to share my love for my family, my students and the gift of dance that has enabled me to make a difference in my world and the world of others one step at a time," says Hunter.

Gleason will present "Symphonie Italienne," a classical ballet for 20 women and three men to Felix Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony. Both bravura and virtuoso in every sense of those words and a favorite of the dancers, the work premiered in 2003.

Returning professional Rachel James '16 collaborated with 10 dancers to create "Inscription." James describes it as "a breathing living piece of art that is brought to life by the Mercyhurst dance majors. The dancers create an atmospheric quality exploring romance and love and the intangible joy of another's presence."

Junior dance major Katarina Fitzpatrick '15 shares her take on the emotions, ideas and character archetypes associated with "night," capturing the paradoxical menace and romance of night through various dance genres. The driving force in "Of the Night" is a large group of dancers who convey the emotional content associated with night..

Special to both Hunter and Gleason will be the return of several alumni guests to complete the program, including Alyssa Alger '10, a recent M.F.A. graduate of the University of Arizona; Caroline Milliken Euker '05 of Missouri Contemporary Ballet; Justin Michael Hogan '12 of Louisville Ballet; and Cassandra Powers Surdula '09, formerly of Montgomery Ballet.