Student News
Newcomb Dance Company members Madeline Lorio and Amalia Nájera performed their original piece Tethered at the American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic Conference on March 8th and were one of three pieces selected to be performed at the ACDA National Festival in May 2025. This is the first time the high honor has been awarded to Tulane University dancers. The primary objective of the National College Dance Festival is to highlight, on a national level, outstanding choreography and performances created on college and university campuses, with over 300 programs competing for a festival showing each year.
Tethered was initially developed as a final project for the Composition II class taught by Michaela Cannon in the Spring 2024 semester, built on the concept of energy and weight sharing, debuting as part of the Young Performers series in April 2024 under the title Ignition. With the encouragement and support of Professors Jeffrey Gunshol, Diogo DeLima, and Michaela Cannon, the duo continued to evolve the work presenting it as Tethered at Above The Oaks in the Fall 2024 semester as part of the Composition III curriculum led by Diogo DeLima.
“Tethered, for me, feels like a culmination of my time at Tulane Dance.” says Amalia Nájera ‘25, “The extent to which the professors were involved in fostering our creativity and equipping us with the necessary tools to create this piece, ultimately allowed me to fall in love with the choreographic process and find my voice in dance.”
“The dance department here fosters innovative creativity and uniqueness that evokes constant curiosity and critical thinking.” adds Madeline Lorio ‘25, “My favorite part of Tulane Dance is the commitment the department has to providing opportunities to explore our individuality, think critically about dance, and showcase the work we create!”
Lorio and Nájera will perform Tethered at the 2025 National College Dance Festival at George Washington University May 2nd through the 4th, 2025. For more information and tickets please visit https://www.acda.dance/?tribe_events=2025-national-college-dance-festival
Faculty News
The head of TUTD's directing program, Professor Monica Payne’s received critical acclaim for her production Ibsen’s "Hedda Gabler", adapted by Mark O’Rowe, at The Den Theatre in Chicago this spring.
“Monica Payne’s direction is sure and moves the action smoothly around the multi-level set. The outstanding cast is highlighted by Hebert’s performance, which is impulsive and dramatic.” – Nancy Bishop, Third Coast Review
“…Brookelyn Hébert’s portrayal of Ibsen’s celebrated femme fatale is an old-school, eyeball-grabbing star turn, one that every theater lover will relish.” – Hugh Iglarsh, NewCityStage
