This year marks the first time a dance show has been part of the main theater season. “Dream Park in ‘80s City” is the title for first show of its kind in Emporia State’s history. The story revolves around 17 people working through a day in the city, told through dances choreographed to music from the ‘80s.

“I decided to do the ‘80s because there’s a lot of exciting hip-hop, break-dance and just a sense of the times, so I placed it in a park in a city…that allowed for people to have all kinds of dreams and themes,” said Lindy Bartruff, director of the show and adjunct professor of dance.

Bartruff said the buildup to the show had been slowly developing over a long period of time, beginning in the 1970s with ballroom dancing. Over the last seven years, Bartruff said the dance program has developed from dancing in the Friesen Studio for anyone who could come to putting on a full show in the Karl C. Bruder Theater.

“I thought it would be a nice experience, lots of fun, high energy (and I) get to hang out with my peers,” said Cara Lohkamp, sophomore theater major.

Lohkamp will perform in a scene with Noah Mefford, junior theater major. Mefford plays a man who has finally gotten a car and spots Lohkamp’s character in the park who is just trying to do her aerobics in peace. The two perform a pas de duex, or a duet dance to the tune of “Get Out of My Dreams and Into My Car.”

“Dream Park in ‘80s City” has an extensive cast comprised of 17 dancers and three other students who are working on the more technical aspects of the show such as lighting, costume and sound design. The show will also feature a small amount of special effects including fog during another duet which is choreographed to the song “Who Made the Moon?” by Little River Band.

Bartruff said that while the music will provide a great deal of atmosphere for the show, the characters themselves are also well defined.

“My character is a convenience store clerk,” said Emily Warren, senior theater major. “She’s sick of her job, sick of her life, her boyfriend just got laid off, and she just wants to leave the city and start a new life with him.”

Warren will perform to “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. She will also perform in other dance numbers both as the clerk and as other characters.

“Dream Park in ‘80s City” premieres on at 7:30 p.m. on May 6 in the Karl C. Bruder Theater. Admission is free.

Luke Bohannon