A dance piece choreographed by a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has been selected to be performed at a national dance festival sponsored by the American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA).

"Break-Out," choreographed by Candice Jablonski, New Berlin, was one of only two student pieces selected from the ACDFA regional to perform at the national festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., May 13 to 15.

The dance was one of 36 entered in the Central Region Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that included work by students and faculty members from 50 college and university dance programs in the nine-state region.

Jablonski, a senior dance major, describes "Break-Out" as "aggressive." Although it is performed by five dancers on pointe, it uses "hip-hop" music. Jablonski�s work was one of nine pieces selected for the festival closing gala concert. Only three of the gala pieces were choreographed by students.

Gala pieces, selected for their exemplary artistic quality, were then judged for the national festival. Jablonski said she had set the goal of performing in the gala, since the tap work she choreographed last year made it that far. She said, having made it that far, the dancers were more relaxed and able to give their best performance without worrying about the judges.

Another work by a UWSP student was selected to perform at the regional festival. "Tantrum," a high-energy tap piece for seven dancers, choreographed by Alexis Hinkle, Beloit, also was entered in the competition. In addition, "X-Factor," choreographed by Mario Green, Kenosha, was performed at an informal concert during the festival. Hinkle is a sophomore dance major and Green is a sophomore majoring in musical theatre with a minor in dance.

All three works were originally performed last fall at the student directed dance concert, "AfterImages." "Break-Out" will encore at UWSP�s annual main stage production, "Danstage �02," May 3 to 5 and 9 to 11. For ticket information for Danstage, call the Arts and Athletics Ticket Office at (715) 346-4100 or (800) 838-3378.

The national festival is a biennial event held in even numbered years to showcase the best work of the regional festivals. UWSP dance students and faculty members have been participating in ACDFA on a regional level since 1982. This is the third time that a student work has been selected for the national festival.

"Attendance at ACDFA is essential for our students," according to Susan Hughes Gingrasso, professor and head of dance, who accompanied 28 UWSP dance students to the festival. "This is the only opportunity they have to get comments on their work from professional dancers and choreographers."

"It was a treat to see students from other schools," Jablonski said. "I enjoyed seeing the creativity of other dancers and getting new ideas."

Along with the dancers, Mandy Mueller, Sheboygan, costume designer, and Tony Glaska, Menomonee Falls, lighting designer, also will go to the national competition to assist with the presentation. Funding for students to attend the festivals comes from the Theatre and Dance Department and the Backstage organization and the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Mueller is a junior majoring in technical theatre and design with a minor in art. Glaska is a senior majoring in technical theatre and design

The American College Dance Festival Association sponsors regional and national dance festivals to provide workshops, lectures, demonstrations and master classes for students and brings instructors from around the country. The regional event was judged by three nationally recognized dance professionals.

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