Hubbard Street 2, the second program in the Lyceum Series, will perform for Mississippi State students in Lee Auditorium tonight at 7.
The contemporary dance group will bring meticulous choreography and a bit of the unusual to Starkville.
HS2’s performances are no ordinary ballets. HS2 has become one of the most well-known dance companies in the country.
HS2 developed in 1997 from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a Chicago-based worldwide dance and choreography force.
“I think it’s going to be a unique experience, bringing in a dance group that is of as high caliber as Hubbard Street 2,” said grad student Kell Smith.”They’re very well recognized around the country and that should hopefully bring people in to see them.”
MSU Pom Squad member Paige Dunnington said she is also excited about Hubbard Street.
“I’ve heard a lot about Hubbard Street 2 and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago,” she said. “I’ve been dancing since I could walk. This is the kind of thing I dreamed about as a child. I can’t wait to finally see them in action. It will be amazing.”
A major component of HSDC’s Education and Community Program, HS2 has served as a training ground for young professional dancers and choreographers and as a resource for the HSDC Main Company. In its short history, HS2 has received repeat invitations from 1998-2000 to Dance Chicago, one of the most prominent independent dance festivals.
They have also performed in Johannesburg, South Africa, and on the Millenium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
HS2 consists of six dancers between the ages of 17-25. Under the direction of Julie Nakagawa Bottcher, the group tours the country and reaches more than 35,000 people annually through performances in schools, community centers and theaters.
Dancers currently touring include Sarah Cullen, Jason Kittleberger, Robert Knowles, Ryan Lawrence, Banning Roberts and Dori Vasquez.
Josh Wooten, who works with the Lyceum Series, said he hopes this performance will serve as a recruiting tool in the future.
“Dance is one of the appreciated fine arts,” he said. “Hopefully, this will help bring in more dance students to Mississippi State. This will give students a chance to really appreciate dance.”