Sacramento State University Black Art of Dance Company is hoping to “awe” students with their depiction of praise and spirituality through dance in their show “Praisesong.”

The title “Praisesong” was chosen in order to portray African dancing as a movement and culture.

Nathan Jones, who is the associate artistic director of SBAD, wants the people who watch the show to realize that there is not just one universal meaning of praise, but rather a variety of meanings that people can interpret for themselves.

“I think that there is more scope to the word praise and what it is,” Jones said. “Praise comes out of the black experience and what their interpretation of praise is.”

Even broader than that, Jones said, praise is a way to express a passion for something and the beauty that it is.

“Praisesong” will run from Thursday to March 7, but the production has been in the works since December of 2009.

All different kinds of dance will be displayed in the performance, Jones said, including praise, hip-hop, modern, African Caribbean dance and even ballet.

The production will include not only the company’s dancers, but also guest choreographers and dancers such as Katherine Dunahm, Pearl Primus, dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and featured guest “Ascension.”

Jones wants those who see the show to really think outside the box. He stresses the importance that everybody has a different perspective on the definition of “praise.”

“We want the audience to enjoy themselves and see humanity on stage. We want the audience to come away with an enlightened feeling and join us in a celebration of black dance culture,” Jones said.

Dancer Jurusha Woods was not planning on partaking in the recital this semester because of her workload, but she opted to join the praising celebration, and is excited for the production that will take place.

“I went to the auditions of SBAD, and immediately I was hooked,” Woods said. “I loved the passion that went into each dance move and the aesthetics that it offered.”

Woods expressed that SBAD dancers have great unity when they dance, and “Praisesong” is a chance for them the show what the black art of dance really is.

“No matter what religion or background, we want you to enjoy the art of dance,” Woods said. “Because the SBAD dancers enjoy it so does the crowd.”

The company is a unit, Woods said, and although they all have different beliefs, they all understand each other.

“I love performing with SBAD, it’s always a joy to see what we can do and who we can influence,” Woods said.

Jones said the dance company, SBAD, has been around for almost 20 years and works to bring forth the art and passion that the black culture has to offer.

“SBAD productions are meant to portray the different colors of the black art of dancing,” he said.

The company holds auditions in the fall of each year and offers a yearlong program where dancers learn all types of dance, from contemporary (modern dance) to African Caribbean.

However, Jones said, SBAD is not simply about dancing, but also a community of people sharing their love of dance and their variety of ideas.

“We are here to provide voice to an aspect of the African American experience. We are a company that doesn’t compete with each other; we come together and celebrate the different ideas that we have,” Jones said.

The audience should expect to enjoy themselves at “Praisesong,” they should leave the production with joy in their hearts, Jones said.

“We want them to walk out with emotions that are as many colors of the rainbow. We want the audience to know that the human is beautiful, varied and spirit-filled,” Jones said.

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