April Henehan MFA ‘23 and Robert Rimmer ‘23 represented Jacksonville University’s Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities at the American College Dance Association’s 2023 National College Dance Festival among 34 other schools from across the country.
Henehan’s ‘What is Lost?’ dance performance, which she choreographed, was performed in the fourth set during ACDA’s Program B on May 27 in Long Beach, California. She was joined by undergraduate dance student Rimmer, who performed the piece.
“Jacksonville University has traditional undergraduate dance degrees and a low residency graduate dance degree,” said Brian Palmer, who chairs the JU dance department. “Quite often these two programs, within one department, do not intersect. I am always happy when collaboration can take place and in this case between two sets of our students.”
Henehan’s choreographed production of “What is Lost?” was performed at the festival. She graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in choreography in May. Her performance at the National College Dance Festival this year follows her recent acceptance into the Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Follows Program.
The festival was the culmination of the American College Dance Association’s 50th anniversary as the largest organization serving dance in higher education in the U.S. The 34 dances were chosen for their artistic excellence from each of ACDA’s 11 conferences from across the country. The last time Jacksonville University was selected for the gala was seven years ago with Michael Lomeka's work.
“The Festival reflects the vitality of dance across the country,” said ACDA Executive Director Diane Defries.
Henehan is a jazz instructor at The Brittany Boyd Dance Company in Jacksonville. Henehan describes ‘What is Lost’ and its performance as “compelling” while “drawing on a quiet, virtuosic intensity.” She’s held principal roles in ‘Nutcracker Doll’ alongside the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, been featured in commercials and was a finalist in “So You Think You Can Dance.”
