SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts’ Summer Session Ends in a Whirlwind of Razzle, Dazzle
From the first electric dance number of Beyonce’s “Who Runs the World” to instrumental offerings of “Blue Bossa” by Joe Henderson, the stirring rendering of “Lovely” by Billie Elish and Khalid, and the grand musical and dance finale of “All Around the World,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (PA) students delighted their audience from start to finish.
Students delivered a theatrical feast to a crowded audience during the 2023 Summer Dance and Music Recital on Friday, July 14 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus.
“We are so proud of the hard work your children have displayed this summer,” said PA Director Homer Simmons. “And it is amazing what our instructors have been able to do with the students. Please sit back and enjoy a magical evening of budding talent.”
Students featured on program: Zoey Alexander, Imani Barnes, Nia Barnes, Olivia Bell, Lauren Bell, Hope Boatner, Maurice Brown, Jalynn Clayton, Meadow Coates, Karenza Cox, Joslyn Howell, Charles Johnson, Tyronne Johnson III, Aunya King, Harper Mitchell, Parker Mitchell, Amilya Morning, Janiya Nauden, Mackenzie Simpson, Gavin Smith, Micah Smith, Gia Smith, Khalifa Sylla, Gysai Sylla, Marshall Thornton, Reagan Titley, Londyn Turner, Layla Wilson and Willis Wright.
Other PA staff included Jack Williams, assistant director; Esau Toombs, music and band coach; Jay’Kayla Winford, lyrical jazz dance instructor and McKinley Smith, Hip Hop dance instructor.
During the show, Simmons informed the audience that PA students Coleman, Gysai Sylla and Wright will perform with jazz vocalist and East St. Louis native Erika Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC), 210 E. Monroe Ave. in Kirkwood, Mo. Tickets are $25 and $50.
The SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has a long, rich history. The legendary dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham founded the Center for Performing Arts at the SIUE East St. Louis Center in 1964. At its peak in the 1990s, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 youth and became a training ground for professional artists of all disciplines. For decades, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided performing arts classes to students and community members to develop local talent and to cultivate a love of the arts. Classes often culminated in musical and theatrical productions.
Photos courtesy of Jack Williams:
Performing Arts students provided an evening full of talent during their 2023 Summer Dance and Music Recital.
