‘Truth Moves’ showcases work of Penn State dance program

UNIVERSITY PARK — “Truth Moves,” a concert of contemporary dance showcasing the work of the Penn State Dance Program, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, in the Playhouse Theatre.

The concert features an eclectic program with five distinct choreographic voices represented by faculty members J. Austin Eyer, Amie Davis, Michele Dunleavy, Donna Dunmire and Kikora Franklin.

Overarching themes of identity, relationships and communication serve to connect the diverse program offerings, which include ‘Love is Love is Love is Love,’ Dunmire’s neo-noir, dance-theater piece inspired by 1980s and 1990s movies, and ‘Pursuance: Human Being Human,’ Franklin’s visual embodiment of what it means to be a human being. Dunleavy’s ‘Star Spangled’ uses satire to challenge preconceived notions of patriotism, and what it means to be an American. In ‘Intersecting Mary,’ Davis examines communication and how our bodies function and deal with the stresses of our different relationships.

Also on the program are three works by Eyer that span a variety of topics: ‘Seriously,’ a response to the 2016 presidential election, ‘Silence=Death,’ a statement on the current state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and ‘Gates of Hope,’ which questions the role of activism in art.

Tickets are not required for this event. Audience members are encouraged to pay what they can; a suggested donation is $5.