Sacramento State’s annual faculty-choreographed showcase, “Dance Sites,” normally features up to 60 dance students, but this fall, the director of the show cut that number to 20.

Lorelei Bayne, assistant professor of theater and dance and director of “Dance Sites,” said she chose to have a smaller group of dancers because she wanted students to have the chance to dance in more pieces. She said the concert this year aimed to give students the sense that they were a part of a professional dance company.

“They (the dancers) are in more than one piece, so it really does give them a sense of what it’s like to be in a professional company,” Bayne said.

This year’s “Dance Sites” has works from eight choreographers, including guest choreographers Deborah Miller-Froh, who danced professionally in San Francisco, and Felipe Barrueto-Cabello, who danced with the Joe Goode Company.

Bayne said the choreographers came up with a program order that mixes different styles, feels and emotional tones so the audience is on a ride throughout the whole evening.

In “Dance Sites,” Karen Toon, a part-time professor for the theater and dance department and choreographer for the concert, has a tap piece titled, “Latin Beat, Dancin’ Feet.” In this number, two girls can be seen dancing to the music of “Old Black Magic” on large coin props.

Nolan T’Sani, theater and dance professor, has a contemporary ballet piece in the show influenced by his 10-year experience with the New York Ballet.

Bayne said T’Sani’s piece “Asayake” was her favorite in the show.

“The intensity of the loud drumbeats really got me into the feel of the dancers’ movements,” Bayne said. “I enjoyed watching them mix ballet moves with martial arts in what looked like fight scenes at times.”

Linda Goodrich, department chair of the theater and dance department, choreographed a piece called “Celestial Awakenings” for the show.

“My piece is about the big bang theory and how from the center of the sun, all these things collided and created this orbiting universe,” Goodrich said.

The chimes in the beginning of Goodrich’s dance gives off the feeling of tranquility. The relaxing music can make a person feel as if he or she is floating in space.

Goodrich said the dancers in her piece have their faces painted, wear silver body suits and orbit around the sun.

Andrew Hopper, freshman dance major, plays the role of the sun in Goodrich’s piece. He said the lights in “Celestial Awakenings” are special effects that are supposed to symbolize asteroids and comic explosions.

The background in this piece, which was gigantic orbiting lights, made the dancers look as if they were orbiting with asteroids.

For “Celestial Awakenings,” Hopper said it was hard for him to take on the role of the sun because his piece is long and requires him to dance the entire time.

“To prepare myself, I just tried to build my stamina as much as I could,” Hopper said. “I’m working out really hard in rehearsal and in class.”

Hopper said it has been great working with the choreographers.

“I think all the choreographers really try to push the envelope and do something that is thought-provoking,” he said.

Bayne said Miller-Froh will be performing her own solo piece titled, “When It Rains.”

Bayne feels that having Miller-Froh in the showcase is a treat for the dance students.

“Her being in such a high professional level on stage is great for the students so they can see that level of professionalism on stage,” Bayne said.

Inertia DeWitt, senior dance major, said having a small cast for the show helps her prepare for a career in a dance company.

DeWitt, who has been in two previous “Dance Sites” performances, said the selectivity in this concert lets every dancer know that he or she needs to work harder.

“The fact that they’re letting only so many dancers into this performance is an example of how they’re pushing us,” DeWitt said.

Bayne said some of the seniors, including DeWitt, have been growing as dancers since they started at Sac State.

“Inertia is getting ready to graduate. She’s in three works (for “Dance Sites”) and she’s being very challenged with each different one,” Bayne said.

DeWitt said one of the dances she is being challenged in is Randee Paufve’s modern dance piece.

“Randee’s piece is really difficult because it’s a trio and we never really go off stage,” DeWitt said. “It’s about 10 minutes of non-stop dancing with emotional context to it, so it’s not just turn, turn, turn.”

Bayne said one of the difficulties of being in a smaller cast is that the dancers have to learn to go from one dance piece to the next.

“You just have to be prepared to kind of go on a roller coaster and try not to take something from one piece into the next,” DeWitt said.

Jennifer Siopongco can be reached at [email protected]