Justin Waggoner plays the role of Joseph in "Dreamer: The Diary of Joseph." The dance performance is being presented by Unity Dance Troupe today and Sunday at Lee University. The audience will experience Joseph's journey from his home in Canaan to Egypt where, after being imprisoned, he eventually rises to second in command of the nation.If you go
› What: “Dreamer: The Diary of Joseph”› Where: Lee University, Dixon Center, 1053 Church St., Cleveland, Tenn.› When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. today and Sunday› Admission: Free› Information: www.unitydancetroupe.com
One of the most well-known Old Testament stories is that of Joseph. Sold by his brothers into slavery, he is falsely imprisoned for two years in Egypt before being brought before Pharaoh to interpret the ruler's dreams.
After correctly interpreting Pharaoh's dream as a prediction of famine, Joseph gains his freedom and rises to become second in command over the people of Egypt. His story is a message of faith and forgiveness.
A group of performers has taken on the challenge of interpreting Joseph's interpretation of dreams in four dance performances set for today and Sunday at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. "Dreamer: The Diary of Joseph" is being presented by Christian dance company Unity Dance Troupe, a cast of 45 dancers and actors.
"The show incorporates a lot of dance. It's a mixture of everything from ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and tap dancing to even some gymnastics," says Katherine Griesemer, United Dance Troupe spokeswoman.
Dance was once considered inappropriate in a sanctuary. Who hasn't heard jokes about Baptists and dancing - "Baptists think dancing is one of the seven deadly sins," for example? But this form of praise and worship is growing in acceptance in churches across multiple denominations. It is used to add beauty and emotion to a service, say participants.
The United Dance Troupe performance is choreographed by Alexis Ziarkowski Burleson, who created the group. Carefully designed choreography is what separates praise dancing from the clapping and joyful movement that congregants may do in their pews when moved by the spirit of a song.
Dancers dress modestly in loose-fitting attire with the intent not to draw attention to their bodies but keep their audience focused on the message they are trying to express.
Praise dancing can trace its roots back to biblical times, according to praiseworshipdance.com. The first mention of dance in the Bible is in Exodus 15 when Moses' sister, Miriam, leads the women of Israel in a dance after witnessing the parting of the Red Sea.
"Praise dance in the United Methodist Church has been acceptable for a long time, more than a decade," says the Rev. Doug Fairbanks, senior minister of First-Centenary United Methodist Church.
"That's exactly what Psalms 150:4 talks about," he adds. The Psalm reads: "Praise him with tambourine and dance, praise him with strings and pipe."
Fairbanks says praise dancing has been included in his church's traditional and contemporary services, sometimes performed by a youth group within the church, sometimes a community group.
Nineteen-year-old Katie Ervin joined a praise dancing club at age 9. Now a senior at Silverdale Baptist Academy, she began teaching praise dancing at age 15 during a summer art camp sponsored by Woodland Park Baptist Church.
"The basic steps are drawn from ballet: first, second, fourth and fifth positions," she explains. "I teach how to leap correctly and to plié. When they get the hang of the basic steps, then I teach a dance."
Ervin says she primarily interprets contemporary Christian music, but song choices depend on a program's theme. For her school's Veterans Day program, for example, she danced to "I Love This Land."
"For my chapel performance [at Silverdale], one of the speakers was talking about being undefeated," she says. "The song I danced to was 'Run Wild' by For King and Country. It talks about whether you choose to run wild with the world or stay strong with God."
Unity Dance Troupe began as a campus club at Lee, but grew in number to the point where its leadership moved the troupe off campus to open a full-time dance studio in Cleveland. Griesemer says that, while Lee students still perform with Unity, there are high school students involved as well.
"We have been to a couple of churches to perform, a Church of God in Cleveland and Ooltewah United Methodist. Overall, we have positive reactions," Griesemer says. "I think audiences see the heart and worship behind it and see the presentation of Bible stories in a new perspective."
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.