Unity Dance Troupe will debut a new production, "FOG: Adapted From the Story of Job," Thursday, Oct. 4, in Conn Center on the campus of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Five free performances will be given between Thursday and Sunday, Oct. 7.
Choreographed by Unity founder and director Alexis Ziarkowski Burleson, "FOG" is an artistic exploration based on the story of Job in the Old Testament. Concentrated in modern dance technique, the show uses a new style of dance from Unity's former shows.
If you go
› What: “FOG: Adapted From the Story of Job”› Where: Conn Center, Lee University, 150 11th St., Cleveland, Tennessee› When: 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 4-7; 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 6-7› Admission: Free› For more information: www.unitydancetroupe.com
The story portrays conversations between Job and three of his friends as he journeys through a season of intense pain and loss. After suffering the sudden death of his children, having all his wealth stolen and losing his own health to disease and pain, his friends attempt to comfort him and explain why such affliction has come upon his life.
Job is bombarded by his friends' opposing perspectives as they offer him their own lens through which to view his life.
A cast of eight professional dancers will offer an intimate, 37-minute production that invites viewers to engage with the story. It features handmade costumes by Lauren Leggett and theatrical lighting designed by Austin Burleson. This production's costumes add a unique challenge for the dancers as they perform blindfolded for much of the show.
"'FOG' is a unique production in that it doesn't follow a strict narrative storyline like Unity's other productions," says Burleson. "Instead, it connects a series of analogies and conversations to portray Job's journey with God and his friends."
Unity is a Cleveland-based Christian dance company known for its productions "The Veil" and "Dreamer." Burleson founded Unity in 2010 as a Lee University club while a student there. What started as a company of Lee students dancing in a gymnasium has grown into a full-time, nonprofit dance studio serving over 300 students.