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���۲�ݮ��Ƶ’s Department of Theatre & Dance (LUTD) will showcase original works by student choreographers in the spring performance of “MOVE,”, set for Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the ���۲�ݮ��Ƶ Theatre.

The LUTD student choreography concert marks the capstone project for the spring 2025 applied choreography class, where students are responsible not only for creating and rehearsing new choreography but also for producing every element of a full-stage performance from lighting and sound design to costuming, marketing, and stage management.

Under the direction of Amy Elizabeth, students from all levels of the choreography sequence will debut solo, duet, ensemble, and special project works.

“Guiding the students from concept to concert with their own processes is exhilarating,” Elizabeth said. “Our motto is ‘everything is figureoutable,’ to quote Marie Forleo. It is a true process in the sense that we have an idea when we start, but we cannot anticipate where the project will take us — what obstacles and sweet surprises will arise to shift the project in new directions.”

This semester’s choreographers include first-semester students Kaleigh-Cicada Alfred, Jade Janelle Johnson, and Jayleeann Roth, who will perform solo works. Reagan Dearing will present a duet, while Chloé Parker leads an ensemble of three or more dancers. Fourth-semester students Jai Alexander and Karla Figueroa developed advanced pieces incorporating costume design, lighting, music, or props.

The concert's title, “MOVE,” was selected by students to represent the diversity of styles and themes expressed in their choreography. Audience members can expect a wide range of modern, lyrical, and contemporary dance, with topics ranging from socially inspired concepts to personal storytelling.

“The concert is a repertory format, which means the works do not have to connect or make sense together they are simply sharing the bill,” Elizabeth said. “The cohesiveness comes from presenting well-thought-out and polished works that have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The overall show should take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of ideas and concepts that are unique and individual to each of the projects.”

For many students, the concert represents the culmination of over 13 weeks of work. “This course has allowed me to express myself as a person and choreographer freely and get feedback on how to make works more clear for future opportunities,” second-semester student Reagan Dearing said.

Elizabeth noted that the educational experience goes far beyond performance.

“The students’ experience relies on just that ‘the start to finish,’” she said. “Doris Humphrey once said, ‘the ending is 40% of the dance.’ In this way, the concert is only 40% of the course and the project. Sometimes the most important challenge is finishing the work and adding the production elements that really seal the idea. They experience the idea of taking something from nothing and watching it develop into more than just something.”

Student choreographer Chloe Parker summed up the excitement simply: “’MOVE’ is a performance created and produced by students, showcasing their styles and hard work, giving the audience a show they won’t want to miss.”