Fuente — photo preview

(photos by Chuck Grimmett/Collegian)

Fuente Ovejuna!

This weekend's Tower Player's production of "Fuente Ovejuna" features a cast of some 40 people. Staged in the Quilhot Black Box Theatre, the show is dark, suspenseful and moving. Here are some preview shots of the show.

Senior Kirsty Sadler, middle, plays the show's protagonist. Her scenes with co-star freshman Pat D'Amato offer some lovely interludes.

Junior Eric Elefson plays a despotic captain terrorizing the town.

The show's stage is built like a runway, with audience members seating on either side.

"Fuente Ovejuna" will run at 8 p.m. every night this week and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. To get tickets or reserve a slot on the waiting list, e-mail Ruth Sanders (rsanders@hillsdale.edu).

Tulloch Ard

Members of the Hilltop Highland Dancers perform a sword dance on Thursday evening. (photos by Chuck Grimmett/Collegian)

Tulloch Ard
By Collegian freelancer Samantha Gilman and Arts Editor Marieke van der Vaart

Strength, dignity, grace, poise: these are the words that best describe the performances of tonight and last night’s Tulloch Ard concert. From the moment the curtains opened to the sharp rat-a-tat of the snare drums accompanied by the piercing notes of the bagpipes, the Hillsdale College Scottish Highland Pipes and the Hilltop Highland Dancers brought a taste of Scotland to Markel Auditorium.


The night’s performances included orchestral works from ensembles which included the fiddle, flute, cello, guitar and accordion. The dancing numbers featured incredibly precise footwork and gracefully strong lines, and the clear, strong voices of the guest artists, the Buehrer Sisters, dripped with the beautiful Scottish lilt.

The siblings performed a set of “Walking Songs,” songs that women traditionally sang as they walked on wool to help it dry, junior and concert attendee Kirsten Block said.

Block said the enthusiasm of performers was particularly evident.

“You could tell they really loved what they did,” Block said.


She said the bantering of the master of ceremonies and performers displayed an endearing sense of camaraderie.

“It just seemed like a whole bunch of people who just enjoyed dancing and playing music got together.”

Beach styles — 1 wedge, 3 ways.

1 Wedge, 3 Styles

By Fashion Blogger Rachel Hofer and Arts Editor Marieke van der Vaart

Using staples from this season's runways, we created three summer looks around a pair of suede wedges that reflect different styles.

As you start looking for summer styles, look for stripes, wedges, maxi skirts, and sun hats to spice up your warm-weather wardrobe.

On the beach — preppy style

(compiled by Rachel Hofer and Marieke van der Vaart using Polyvore)

Looking for beach-wear inspiration? Check out The Collegian today to see outfits around these Pedro Garcia Suede Wedges.

Quick Looks For Spring

Dining at any hour is a chance to be fashionable! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are perfect opportunities to pull out a fun dress and a great pair of heels. Here are some looks to try the next time you are eating out on the town.

Lunch is the opportune time to pull out a fun sundress and your favorite gold accents!

(Compiled by Rachel Hofer)

If you can't afford the outrageous designer brand prices, here is a much cheaper option for this look. Everything here is $60 and under!

Here is a great look for a dinner date. Grab a floral print dress and garnish it with some classy jewelry.

Or, if you want to save money and still look fabulous, try these under $60 looks:

Happy Dining! 

Sartorialist, Director's Cut

"Rocker Chic"

by Collegian Fashion blogger Rachel Hofer

Looking into Megan Haines’ closet meant much more than taking a peek at her clothes: it was literally stepping straight into her young and funky lifestyle.

Megan covers the world she lives in with her personal style, which she describes as, “Ugly pretty." This means crazy contrasting outfits from leather to floral prints, peacock feathers, and most importantly, zebra!

An interview with this unique fashionista revealed just how much this girl loves style.

(photos by Chuck Grimmett/Collegian)

Megan said she doesn't have a favorite store: she liked buying clothes from everywhere. She especially likes buying things at thrift stores that don’t fit perfectly or having something just a little bit off about them.

“You can see the beauty in it but you have to look for it.”

Her wardrobe reflects this mindset perfectly. Her closet is full of clothes she has made completely on her own. From her high school graduation dress to the very red skirt she wore during the photo shoot.

In addition to her skirt, which was hand-sewn from a bed sheet, Megan is wearing a shirt and necklace from a thrift store, leggings, a vest, and shoes from Wal-mart, and a peacock feather ring from Forever 21.

Her quirky style is just as contrasting as her beloved zebra stripes!

Tower Dancers Concert, extended cut

(photos by Chuck Grimmett/Collegian)

Modern Dance in Markel

The Tower Dancers Spring Concert runs tomorrow night through Sunday afternoon. The Collegian got to preview the seven-piece performance last night. Here's what we saw.


One of the concert's group was a mathematically-inspired number by Lecturer in Theatre Holly Hobbs. Hobbs said the concept of "strange loops" inspired the choreography. Hobbs said a strange loop describes the phenomenon of seemingly contradicting things are resolved, or you end up where you started. Her piece explored lots of shapes and group patterns, and ended in a figure eight loop, representing the idea of infinity.

Another number choreographed by Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance Corinne Imberski featured a trio of dancers. Here sophomore Marianna Ernst and senior Carly Gilmore perform in "Emergence."


Imberski's "Pier: What is Left Behind" feature liquid movements and a set of ropes hanging from the ceiling and a pier downstage. Sophomore Emma Curtis, second from right, said the troupe was pleased to discover the theme before Imberski told them.



The last piece of the night was a six-movement dance set to J.S. Bach's cello concerto. The numbers featured the troupe in solos (like Gilmore above), trio, quartet, and ensemble.


Lecturer in Music David Peshlakai played the piece at the foot of the stage. Sometimes the coordination between the dancer's movements and the cello's music seemed to imply a conversation between the two.


Bright colors and angular shapes dominated the stage, with the angular, modern movements contrasting with the baroque music. Imberski wrote in the program notes that the piece helped show the connection of the old and the new: "Choreographers of today should represent our current place in history, but are always following in the footsteps of what came before—we are yet another step in the necessary evolution of dance."

The Tower Dancers will perform Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Markel Auditorium.

To read the review go here.