Contemporary Dance Ensemble kicks off the spring season at University Theatre

Two dancers, man and women, in a blue toned photo.

Fresno State’s University Theatre and The Contemporary Dance Ensemble will present its spring dance concert, “Connections: 2023.” The production is under the artistic direction of Kenneth Balint. 


Performances are at 7:30 p.m. February 17 – 18 and February 21 – 25, 2022, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 19, at the John Wright Theatre on campus. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military and $10 for all students. Children under five are not permitted.

“Connections: 2023” features the choreography of Artistic Director Kenneth Balint, nationally renowned San Francisco-based Robert Moses, California-based dance artist, scholar and activist Bernard Brown and Student Choreographer in Residence Zachary Garcia.

The concert features six powerful and provocative repertory dance works. “Unquenched Thirst,” a melding of African Diasporic movement and postmodern sensibilities by Bernard Brown, a ferocious and confrontational work “The Supplicant” by Robert Moses, Zachary Garcia’s movement and sensory exploration titled “There is Something in the Water” and three works, “Episteme 1-2-3,” “Connections: Dismal or Insight” and “Intravenous 80’s” by Kenneth Balint.

“The Contemporary Dance Ensemble is known for its eclectic movement, challenging choreography, fierce dancing, and thought-provoking themes,” says Artistic Director Kenneth Balint. “And This year is no exception.”

The concert features performances by Shawnee Avila, Collin Bresenio, Cassandra Cervantes, Briana Chambers, Emmalee Escobar, Jose Escobar-Lemus, Zachary Garcia, Chloe Ito-Haro, Alicia Longoria, Gianna McCurry, Julia Moreno Galvan, Abigail Salyer, Ashley Wafer, Aaleyah Wilson.

Fresno State no longer requires masks to be worn indoors, but based on updated guidance from public health experts, the University highly recommends that all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, wear a surgical grade or KN95 mask indoors. Doors open 30 minutes before the curtain. Latecomers will not be permitted, and there are no refunds or exchanges. The box office is open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance, and it accepts cash, check, or credit card payments.

Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday night, parking permits are required and can be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus.

For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu

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The College of Arts and Humanities provides a diverse student population with the communication skills, humanistic values and cultural awareness that form the foundation of scholarship. The college offers intellectual and artistic programs that engage students and faculty and the community in collaboration, dialog and discovery. These programs help preserve, illuminate and nourish the arts and humanities for the campus and for the wider community.

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