“Taking Flight” is a fitting name for the California State University, Dominguez Hills spring 2012 dance concert: The production, presented by the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, features five graduating seniors, and a special tribute to College of Arts and Humanities Acting Dean Carol Tubbs, who is retiring.

The student concert will be performed Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12, at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre.

The five graduating seniors receiving a bachelor’s in theatre arts, dance option and “taking flight” to pursue their careers in dance are Sonia Bawa, Keondra Bell, Rosalind El Malik, Tinaiya Tank, and Chanada Turner.

At the opposite end of the dance spectrum, is Tubbs, who played a significant role as the dance program’s coordinator for many years and was pivotal to the program’s growth. A highly trained dancer, having danced professionally throughout the U.S. and Europe, Tubbs studied in Chicago with Larry Long and with the dance legend Eugene Loring at the University of California, Irvine, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance performance and choreography. She began teaching at CSU Dominguez Hills in 1988, training dancers in the areas of ballet, modern, tap, jazz, choreography, music for dance, and dance history. A thank you tribute to Tubbs will be part of the Saturday performance.

“Taking Flight” features dances in hip hop, modern, Middle Eastern, and modern fusion, choreographed and performed by dance majors.

Tickets are $12 for general admission, and $10 for students and senior citizens. Group rates are available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.csudh.edu/theatre/tickets.htm. For other payment options, call the University Box Office at (310) 243-3589.

Parking on campus is $4 and can be purchased at kiosk machines in each lot.

For more information about “Taking Flight” or the CSU Dominguez Hills Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, contact the department office at (310) 243-3588 or visit http://cah.csudh.edu/.