‘Portraits of Dance’ to Close out WT Dance’s Season May 1-3

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — The long journey through grief, the power of community, and a celebration of swing music will be in the spotlight for West Texas A&M University Dance’s final performance of the 2025-2026 academic year.

“Portraits of Dance” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. May 1 and 2, and 2:30 p.m. May 3, in the Branding Iron Theatre in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on WT’s Canyon campus.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for WT students, faculty and staff with a Buff Gold Card. They may be reserved at cur8.com/projects/17516, by emailing artsboxoffice@wtamu.edu or by calling 806-651-2810.

“This dynamic dance concert brings together faculty and guest artist pieces performed by our dance students in an eclectic evening of ballet, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary genres,” said Crystal Bertrand, senior instructor of dance and dance program director in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. “Innovative dance projection and an interactive screen design deepen the audience’s engagement, creating a compelling fusion of movement, technology, and storytelling. We are thrilled to illustrate our passion for the campus and surrounding communities.”

Guest artist L’oreal Sylvester, a 2021 graduate of the WT Dance program, choreographed “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” which she describes as a “depiction of inner struggle with change.”

Guest artist Keenan Fletcher choreographed “wounded we are…,” depicting the need for community to help individuals overcome pain. Fletcher, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, has danced with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, performed in touring productions of Matthew Bourne’s “Swan Lake” and “Nutcracker,” and is a member of St. Louis Dance Theatre.

Bertrand choreographed “Sweet Sky,” a classical jazz work, while Sandra S. Miller, instructor of dance, choreographed “Only 5?,” which explores the traditional five stages of grief. Stacy Clay Hall, adjunct instructor of dance, choreographed “Rooted and Reaching,” an abstract work, and Edward R. Truitt, professor of dance, choreographed “Suite Swing,” a five-movement piece celebrating swing music through different dance styles.

Prior to the performance, “Rooted and Reaching” was selected for adjudication at the American College Dance Association Conference, reflecting the artistic excellence of the program.

Cast members, all dance majors unless otherwise indicated, will include Layla Anderson, a freshman from Amarillo; Caris Balboa, a junior from Hobbs, New Mexico; Charity Gonzales, a junior from Perryton; Nova Gore, a senior from Amarillo; Davel Hernandez, a freshman from Camaguëy, Cuba; Eden Holmes, a freshman from Amarillo; Camila Jimenez, a junior from Fort Worth; Kinsey Johnson, a sophomore from Amarillo; Monique Lara, a freshman from Lockney; Taeveon Lewis, a freshman from Lubbock; Devin Lindley, a senior musical theatre major from Pampa; Jayden Lucas, a senior from Amarillo; Anna Martin, a senior from Midland; Hannah Metzger, a junior from Perryton; Bryanna Miller, a junior from Canyon; Alexa Montanez, a freshman from Amarillo; Aryal Montes, a freshman from Tulia; Fantasia Morgan, a junior from Roswell, New Mexico; Cadence Nickelberry, a freshman from Amarillo; Ariana Perkins, a sophomore from Fort Worth; Erin Potter, a sophomore from Amarillo; Addy Ratzlaff, a freshman from Amarillo; Zeke Riddley, a freshman from Amarillo; Maia Soto, a senior from Houston; Micayela Vasquez, a freshman from Amarillo; Emily Wilson, a sophomore from Lubbock; Zarek Womack, a senior from Christoval; Alyssa Wood, a junior from Amarillo; and Courtney Workman, a freshman from Canyon.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised more than $200 million dollars, the largest such campaign in Texas Panhandle history.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: The West Texas A&M University Dance Program will present "Portraits of Dance" from May 1 to 3 in the Branding Iron Theatre in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on WT’s Canyon campus.

—WT—