For Western Illinois University Dance Instructor Donald Laney, investing in the professional lives and summer performances his students are involved in this year is a trait he learned as a young child. Laney has spent much of his time this summer putting many miles on his car, traveling to watch the shows WIU students are performing in across the Midwest. The journey started after Laney spent six weeks this summer teaching at the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts. At about the same time, he began seeing photographs on social media of the shows his students were part of. “I... Read More

The Western Illinois University Department of Theatre and Dance, in collaboration with the University Dance Theatre, will present its annual spring dance concert, Next Wave, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17 in Hainline Theatre. The concert will offer an evening of original choreography by students and instructors, including performance modern/contemporary, jazz/hip hop and a dance film. Student choreographers include senior musical theatre major Joe Collins, of Sherrard, IL; senior pre-social work major Marissa Fast, of Villa Park, IL; senior musical theatre major Megan Graal, of West Chicago; junior... Read More