Ashley McQueen
Reviews
Alabama Dance Theatre's Stars on the Riverfront
August 3-4, 2014
The Montgomery Advertiser, by Randy Foster
" 'Swing!' is a wonderful short work created by ADT alumna Ashley McQueen, who is with Common Thread Contemporary Dance Group in St. Louis. The dancers--Baylee Clark, Catherine Cobb, Cameron Crawford, Allyson Trimble, Olivia Vittitow—responded to the popular-dance-influenced, highly theatrical style of the piece with verve and elan."
"McQueen also created an absolutely terrific piece of choreography for Jessica Russell. 'Inversion' to music by Wim Mertens, a Belgian minimalist composer, is a stunning display of technical prowess, as well as expressive performance qualities. Russell maneuvers the unexpected twists and turns, stops and starts, and staccato accents set off against legato stretches required by McQueen with remarkable aplomb. The rehearsal tutu and bandeau of her costume are most effective. One recurring movement phrase has Russell in a wide plie that becomes a releve to show the beauty of her arched feet on pointe. Choreography and dancer are perfectly met in this dance."
Variations on Exchange
By Jessica Ruhlin
""...choreography demonstrated a nice understanding of classical stage formations and showcased both ballet and contemporary vocabulary done with enough repetition and variation that the piece had a sense of construction and character without being narrative. "
"a showcase of her incredible physical capabilities- and extraordinary shoulder-joint rotation- and even more so, a demonstration of the intelligence behind motif and progression of a piece. "
"contrast within this piece was well done; I enjoyed the exotic flair of the music while the women seemed to represent something closer to home. This was a complete piece, with choreography that was at once innovative to the eye and relatable within the heart."
http://jessruhlin.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/review-variations-on-exchange/