Delaware, Ohio — Ohio Wesleyan University's Department of Theatre & Dance will stage "Orchesis 2009," its annual dance concert, at 8 p.m. November 14 and 15 on the Main Stage inside Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave.

This year's concert will combine both serious and playful pieces, including a political dance reflecting upon the genocide in Darfur along with more lighthearted dances, including those inspired by Hip Hop-style movements.

"Orchesis 2009" also will feature a gentle spoof on married life created by Jill Becker, an Ohio Wesleyan assistant professor of dance and artistic director of this year's show. Becker previously served as head of Antioch College's dance program for seven years, and she continues to teach at the Nonstop Liberal Arts Institute in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She also has directed Jill Becker and Dancers, Inc., in New York City and earned a National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer's Fellowship.

This year's performance includes 10 student-choreographed dances by seniors Molly Mehl of St. Louis, Lydia Spitalny of Silver Spring, Md., and Jesika Keener of Perry, Ohio; juniors Kate Alexander of Cincinnati and Katie Edgar of Phoenix; sophomores Allison Ross of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Aryn Taylor of Athens, Ohio; and freshmen Delaney Drew of Marion, Ohio, Cassie Easter of NAS Glenview, Ill., and Frieda Trovela of Morton Grove, Ill.

Overall, the company includes 30 Ohio Wesleyan students. Technical elements include lighting design headed by Jessica Ferguson of Lawrenceville, Ga., for her senior project; costume design by part-time Ohio Wesleyan faculty member Jackie Shelley; and stage management by senior Julia Singer of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

Ohio Wesleyan's Department of Theatre & Dance has dedicated its 2008-09 season to Robert R. Crosby, Ph.D., a 1939 graduate of the university and a former chair of the department, who died in 2007.

General admission for all Ohio Wesleyan's Theatre & Dance productions is $7. Admission for senior citizens and non-Ohio Wesleyan students is $5. Admission is free for OWU students. Call (740) 368-3855 for reservations or visit http://theatre.owu.edu for more details.