The full troupe of dancers pose in Sawyer Theatre for Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance’s ‘The Spirit of American Dance’ opening this week.

Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance traditionally hosts its dance show early in the season. Not this year, and at least not next year.

This spring, the season ends with the dance production. Next year, the season also tentatively concludes with the dance production to celebrate a quarter century of VSU dance shows.

After that, will the season closer become the dance show’s new tradition?

Only time will tell, says Eric Brandt Nielsen, who has taught VSU dance for nearly 25 years. His eyes are on the production opening this week.

“The Spirit of Dance in America” features eight dances by VSU choreographers Nielsen, Catherine A. Schaeffer, and newcomer Kimberly M. Holt. Since VSU began offering a degree dance program a few years ago, these choreographers have more student dancers to showcase.

With more dancers, and the show coming at the end of the season, they are also dealing with dance injuries. Both Schaeffer and Holt are expected to step in for injured dancers in their respective works this week.

End of the season or not, audiences familiar with the dance shows can expect the traditional vignettes of dance. The choreographers explore numerous themes. They create dances that tell stories, elicit laughs, and evoke emotions.

If audience members don’t like one dance, sit tight. The next one might be right up their alley.

And the dancers are prepared. With the dance production at the end of the season, they are more than ready for the show.

THE DANCES

IN THE ROUGH

Choreographer: Kimberly M. Holt. Costumes: Esther Iverson. Lighting: R. Keith Pugh. Music: John Zorn’s “Chippy Charm” and “Laughing Owl.” Dancers: Laura DeGroot, Lauren Hallford, Lacey Harper, Rachel Lockhart, Mirna Minkov, Hannah Nellums, Katrina Steward.

DREAMS OF GRACE Choreographer: Kimberly M. Holt. Costumes: Kimberly M. Holt & Esther Iverson. Lighting: R. Keith Pugh. Music: Steve Reich, Olaf Muhlenhardt, “New York Counterpoint I,” “New York Counterpoint II,” performed by Bruce Weinberger & Rascher Saxophone Orchestra. Dancers: Brittany Anderson, Courtney Callahan, Indya Childs, Storm Genereux, Rachel Hearn, Candace Howard, Ashley Noel, Kathryn Lee Timmerman.

SISTERS Choreographer: Catherine A. Schaeffer. Costumes: Esther Iverson. Lighting: R. Keith Pugh. Music: Rene Aubry, Kaki King, David Lanz. Choreographer’s note: “A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.” — Isadora James. Section 1 “Passing” Dancers: Rachel Lockhart, Brittany Lord, Patricia Nealey. Section 2 “Look at Me, It’s My Turn” Dancers: Trio plus Lacey Harper. Section 3 “Outside the Touch of Time” Dancers: Cast plus Lauren Hallford, Candace Howard.

MEMORABILIA Choreographer: Eric Brandt Nielsen. Costumes: Esther Iverson. Scenic & lighting design: R. Keith Pugh. Sound design: Dr. Larry Etling. Music: Broadway musical soundtrack selections from “Fosse,” “White Christmas,” “Contact,” Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Choreographer’s note: “This choreodrama is dedicated to American jazz artists and the pop icons that made dance and music an integral part of our American heritage.” Dancers: Jonathan Butts, Melissa Porter, Nathan Cohen, Tim Oliver, Carla Olivar, Marissa Shankle, Raina Mitchell, Karrin Crozier, Laura Wright, Katie Barnette, William Mathews, Kaneesha Jenkins, Cenetta Baker, Kristen Leonard, Hillary Whitacre, Brennan Byrd, Ciera Freeman, Ciera Johnson, Shemika Tobey, Larae Phillips.

SOULS DESCENDING Choreographer, costumes, props: Catherine A. Schaeffer. Film: “Inmost Sway” by Mark Kiyak with Summer Baldwin and Catherine Schaeffer. Lighting, set: R. Keith Pugh. Music: Stan Richardson, Kroumata Percussion Ensemble, Eclipse Music Group. Choreographer’s note: “Contemporary choreographers cross boundaries while researching and creating dances inspired by the global community. This multi-media project grew from my study of metamorphic dance and incorporates traditional and Americanized styles of Butoh. The accompanying film, ‘Inmost Sway,’ represents one of the newest dance genres, ‘Dance for the Camera.’ ‘Soul Descending’ (solo) will be performed in the Festival Fringe, the world’s largest performing arts festival, 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland.” Dancers: Lacey Harper, Rachel Lockhart, Brittany Lord, Patricia Nealey, Catherine Schaeffer.

CLOSURE Choreographer: Eric Brandt Nielsen. Scenic, lighting design: R. Keith Pugh. Music: “Tenderly,” Beegie Adair, pianist. Choreographer’s note: “This choreographic work is dedicated to all troops, past and present, which have served and defended our country. ‘Closure’ was adjudicated and accepted on the Kaleidoscope Concert at the GAHPERD Conference in Atlanta, November 2009.” Dancer: Ashley Noel.

BLUE SKIES CALLIN’ Choreographer: Kimberly M. Holt. Costumes: Esther Iverson. Lighting: R. Keith Pugh. Music: Bill Monroe, “Bluegrass Special (Instrumental),” Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O’Connor, “Star of the Country Down,” “Appalachian Waltz.” Dancers: Patricia Nealey, with Whitney Dickerson, Kristen Leonard, Rachel Lockhart.

OH BEAUTIFUL Choreographer: Catherine A. Schaeffer. Costumes: Kathy Raess-Young. Set/lighting: R. Keith Pugh. Music: Howard University Chamber Choir, Dan Crary, John Philip Sousa, Ray Charles. Choreographer’s Note: “This ballet premiered in VSU’s annual dance concert, 2004, “Masterpieces in Motion.” It was inspired by Norman Rockwell’s ‘Four Freedoms: Paintings That Inspired a Nation.’ The music, created by American composers, accompanies four styles of dance including modern, ballet, theatrical and lyrical.” Dancers: Cenetta Baker, Kettisha Hollingshed, Kaneesha Jenkins, Ciera Johnson, Larae Phillips, Katrina Steward, Brittany Anderson, Storm Genereux, Mirna Minkov, Hannah Nellums, Ashley Noel, Corie Bosley, Brennan Byrd, Karrin Crozier, Claudia Cole, William Matthews, Melissa Porter, Christen Orr, Kathryn Timmerman, Raina Mitchell, Marissa Shankle, Hillary Whitacre.

SHOWTIME

VSU Theatre & Dance present “The Spirit of Dance in America.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 22, 23, 24; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25.

Where: Sawyer Theatre, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

Tickets: Ticket: $12, adult; $10, senior adult; $8, child, or VSU student; $7, group rate of 10 or more.

Reservations, more information: Call VSU Box Office, (229) 333-5973; or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts