By Morgan Hunter
This past weekend, the campus community was overjoyed to engage with yet another semester production showcasing the talent and passion of dance among students. The College of Wooster Dance Company — a student organization open to all, regardless of year or major — coupled with the Department of Theatre and Dance to put on the Spring Dance Concert this past Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which was performed to audiences full of adoring fans from near and far. This semester’s concert featured nine pieces — six choreographed by students, two by faculty members and one by guest artist Dominic Moore-Dunson. While this event was not one to miss, if you were so unlucky to be elsewhere, here is a recap of all the need-to-know details:
There is always something for everyone at dance concerts, especially considering these performances are bringing together the minds, movement and creativity of students at all levels. Just as the company welcomes dancers of all skill levels, the concert also highlighted a range of novice to experienced choreographers. This range created a welcoming education environment which many found appealing. “There’s definitely a learning curve to figuring out how each new choreographer teaches and how the group dynamic works,” explains Wyn Caudle ’27. “I came into this company with limited dance experience and have found that even still there’s a place for me in the company and I am growing in my skills all the time.”
This dance concert especially showcased the wide range of performance styles and passions of the student artists. “This semester I got to do tap for one of the pieces I was in which I loved! I have been doing tap since I was five but there are no opportunities on campus,” Maura Ellenberger ’25 reveals, in reflection of dancing in the piece “XXI – The World,” choreographed by Gracie Shreve ’23. Adie Williams ’26, a dancer from the same piece, contributes, “We all worked together to come up with where the story would go for each of our characters. Overall I am so proud of what we created.” From classical technique to blurring the lines between stage performance and dance, the pieces this semester truly encompassed everything.
Students were not the only ones who took the stage, however! The Cultural Events Committee sponsored guest artist Domonic Moore-Dunson, who performed his original solo piece entitled “In His Eyes.” This passionate solo concluded the first half of the concert. Moore-Dunson — recipient of the 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize’s Emerging Artist Award for Theatre & Dance, among other accolades — also taught an open masterclass Thursday morning for the campus community.
This masterclass was based on storytelling through movement, which was also the driving technique of his performance. Eleanor Boomhower ’25, a dancer and choreographer for this concert, was in attendance. “I thought [the class] was a great opportunity for students to see into that process in a hands-on way, since we usually focus on the technical aspects of creating movement,” they shared. More information on Moore-Dunson can be found at his website www.dommooredun.com.
Concerts are made more exciting due to the amount of opportunities present in costuming and lighting design as well as work in stage management. Natalie Pickens ’26 was the stage manager for the spring concert, which was her second at the College. “As stage manager, I attend dozens of meetings and send even more emails, but that is all worth it to see the end project,” Pickens explains. Similarly to Pickens, many students have found joy in their involvement behind the scenes. Rhianna Sarac ’24, has been a member and head of wardrobe for three years. Sarac, preparing to say goodbye to the department, says, “The dancers are lovely and keep me endlessly entertained during the long hours at the theater. It’s so rewarding to be part of a project that the dancers are so excited about!”
When an event with so many moving parts comes together successfully, it is always a celebration of momentous occasions. Audiences lined up night after night and the lobby was always packed full of congratulatory joy. While it is sad to see another Spring Dance Concert come to an end, especially as it means sending off so many beloved seniors into the world, the community will relive our memories through stories, photos and videos while we eagerly await to see what the department brings in the fall.