Performing art

The first thing you realize about Professor Aleta Hayes' AAS/THR 303: Compositional Techniques from the African-American Canon, is that it is like no other class you have ever taken.

On this particular day, as I walk into class, three people are rehearsing a dance on the Frist Theater stage, another student is practicing a monologue — puncturing his words with impromptu dance steps and gestures — and two girls are harmonizing in the front row of seats.

I, too, begin busily perfecting my compositions — one a dance and the other a self-authored monologue. Suddenly, Hayes — known to her students as "Aleta" — calls everyone to attention and suggests that we rehearse an up-tempo African piece that involves the entire class.

And all of this takes place in only the first 10 minutes.

As a class, we are rehearsing for our semester show, slated for Monday, Dec. 11 at the Frist Theater at 7 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. It will showcase eclectic original student work featuring rave, modern dance, poetry, drama and martial arts.

The pulsating, creative energy that emanates from the Frist Theater twice per week has much to do with the synergy between student and professor. Hayes challenges us to push the limits of performing art, to incorporate different techniques and cultural influences into our own personal compositions.

The theoretical base of the class centers on the contribution African Americans have made to the American performing aesthetic, from call-and-response to hip-hop. Still, Latin and Asian aesthetic techniques also play an important role in the class.

Through constant critiquing and adaptation, each of us perfects our personal composition during the semester, heeding suggestions from Hayes, fellow students and guest lecturers — including a photographer, singer/vocal coach, movement analyst, jazz musician, filmmaker and dancer.

Though the constant performing and critiquing may seem grueling to some undergraduates, most of us in the class welcome the chance to grow as artists. Participants are diverse not only in ethnic background but also in artistic background. The class boasts members from two dance troupes on campus, a guitarist/breakdancer and several singers, writers and actors.

Kimberli Wong '01, who is working toward a theater and dance certificate, said she is taking this class because she has "always been interested in African-American dance and aesthetics and because Aleta is such an amazing teacher and performer." Sophomore Ariadna Phillips said she enrolled because of Hayes' "open attitude toward exploring modern cultural elements."

Whatever the reason for taking this course, no student will emerge from it unchanged. AAS/THR 303 has demonstrated for me the truly dynamic, evolving process of art-making. It has inspired budding artists to question and eventually tear down the artificial barriers between different genres and aesthetic techniques.

And, as I think our upcoming show will demonstrate, the quest for truly affecting artistic expression is a fun ride indeed.