‘Paradox: New Moves Student Choreography Showcase,’ illustrates 10 student experiences through dance

SF State’s Little Theatre transformed into a vibrant display of lights and dance  Thursday for the premiere of “Paradox: New Moves Student Choreography Showcase,” which revolves around culture, self-reflection, family dynamics, politics and dedication. 

“Paradox” highlights the ambiguity and open-ended interpretation each piece brings to the audience. 

“For a Thursday night crowd, I was not expecting much,” said senior student choreographer and dancer Johan Casal. “You don’t get a big crowd.” 

But nearly 100 people filled the tight-quartered theatre and showed a magnitude of response, from silence to excitement as they watched the series of 10 choreography pieces. 

“I thought it was interesting how different dances had different contexts,” said SF State freshman Japneet Khanuja. “I think it is really interesting how some were slow and some were energetic.” 

Senior choreographer Debra Avelar is one of the 10 choreographers and  presented her piece “Pahtli.” 

She encapsulated her culture and revealed an intimate moment during a Peyote ceremony through dance.

Peyote is a psychedelic cactus that indigenous tribes use to immerse themselves in a spiritual, personal and introspective realization of one’s mind, thoughts and feelings. 

“I wanted to show how important this is for me, even though I have only done it once I feel like that experience was enough to change my life for the better,” Avelar said. “I wanted to portray that through my dance.”

Mexican tribes such as the Wixárikas refer to peyote as “medicina,” with healing powers to nurture and heal one’s spirit.

Avelar thanked her family for learning about “medicina” and how peyote was a natural remedy for her aunt’s cancer. 

“I never experienced that ceremony but I feel like a fly in a wall almost witnessing something she is trying to convey,” said SF State professor and Artistic Director of the showcase Ray Tadio. “I thought she was really successful in that.”

Casal presented “roots within,” which illustrated a concept of time manipulation combined with community collaboration. 

Casal had conversations with his dancers about discovering what it means to be in the present when it feels like they are stuck in the past. 

The title “roots within” is a continuation of connections and time. 

“It’s this idea of family tree roots, being able to understand what grounds you,” Casal said. “Being able to know where you stem from and understand that we have so much potential and space to continue growing whether it’s established roots or you establishing your own.” 

Student choreographer and performer Grace Li Kostrzewa, presented “The phrase: a random phrase,” a family-inspired piece through her personal conversations. 

“It is supposed to be very nostalgic and good times,” Kostrzewa said. “I think I got that across for them [the audience].”

“The phrase: a random phrase” included audio recordings of her family reunion last summer after two years of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance recalled back to a moment of happiness. 

“It is so hard not to be emotional on stage,” said performer Pearl Schulz. “The feeling of the audience interacting with us changes everything. Even though we rehearse it, we don’t know how it’s going to be, until we perform it.” 

The final showcase on Sunday will end with an open talk-back session, where the audience can engage with choreographers and dancers. 

“Paradox: New Moves Student Choreography Showcase” will run until  Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available to purchase now.