Students from SF State’s School of Theatre and Dance perform “Peace of Mind” during rehearsals for “Paradox” on Oct. 19, 2022 in the Little Theatre. Paradox is the School of Theatre and Dance’s first student-choreographed show of the semester. (Juliana Yamada / Golden Gate Xpress) (Juliana Yamada)
Students from SF State’s School of Theatre and Dance perform “Peace of Mind” during rehearsals for “Paradox” on Oct. 19, 2022 in the Little Theatre. Paradox is the School of Theatre and Dance’s first student-choreographed show of the semester. (Juliana Yamada / Golden Gate Xpress)

Juliana Yamada

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

Three choreographers shared the inspiration behind their pieces.

October 21, 2022

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.” 

Grace Kostrzewa performs in the dance “Pahtli” during rehearsals for SF State’s School of Theatre and Dance’s production “Paradox” on Oct. 19, 2022. Paradox is the School of Theatre and Dance’s first student-choreographed show of the semester. (Juliana Yamada / Golden Gate Xpress)

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.” 

Dancers from the piece “The Category Is…” perform in SF State’s Little Theatre for the School of Theatre and Dance’s production rehearsals for “Paradox” on Oct. 19, 2022. Paradox is the School of Theatre and Dance’s first student-choreographed show of the semester. (Juliana Yamada / Golden Gate Xpress) (Juliana Yamada)

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

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About the Contributors
Photo of Daniela Perez
Daniela Perez, Engagement Editor
Daniela Perez (she/her) is the Engagement Editor for Golden Gate Xpress and Xpress Magazine. Her journey with GGX began as a reporter and then online editor. In her spare time, she goes on outings with friends and video calls with her family and cat back home.
Photo of Juliana Yamada
Juliana Yamada, Visuals Editor
Juliana Yamada (she/her) is a Japanese American photojournalist with a passion for storytelling through her photos of underrepresented communities, as well as life in San Francisco. Juliana loves that journalism can help others learn more about each other, and she hopes to further that through her photos. In her free time, you can find Juliana at the thrift store, trying new restaurants or taking care of her many houseplants.

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