Melissa Nunez
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Two hundred Cal Poly students will leap over to Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre for this year’s spring dance concert, “Illuminate,” on May 22 and 23.
The show features 20 dance pieces with genres including flat-show ballet, pointe ballet, tap, several different types of hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, Indian, modern and musical theater.
The concert is student-directed, performed and choreographed. Psychology junior Lauren Creger and business administration senior Nikki Sullivan — this year’s co-directors — have been involved with the spring dance show since their freshman years. Sullivan’s upcoming graduation inspired the theme of this year’s concert.
“We just wanted something that is going to end our dance time — and time at Cal Poly — strong, and go out with a bang, so ‘Illuminate’ seems like showing your light to the world,” Creger said. “The energy brings the illumination.”
The show’s preparation began in February, starting with auditions. Auditions for choreographers were held first, followed by dancer auditions.
The talent in the show is diverse, ranging from dancers with no experience to years of experience. But no matter the experience, everyone who auditions gets a part in the concert.
“Not only are you putting a piece together, but you’re learning the artistry, you’re learning the moves, learning the technique and putting a piece together all at the same time and getting performance ready,” Creger said.
Each dance group has approximately 14 hours of rehearsal until the day of the show for a 3-5 minute piece.
“(The rehearsals) have been long but definitely worth it,” dancer and civil engineering freshman Sarah Vandevert said. “They are two-hour increments of time, which is kind of a long period for dancing, but you get a lot done.”
Nearing show day, the groups come together to perform in front of the student directors and faculty adviser Diana Stanton. The directors give each choreographer suggestions and ask questions.
“We make our work to both entertain and express our ideas through thoughtfully crafted choreography and staging,” Creger said.
Sullivan and Creger have also choreographed their own pieces.
Sullivan’s dance, “Infinite,” is a culmination of what she’s learned in college, she said.
“I’ve been involved with dance for so many years and dance has been a huge part of my life,” she said. “Especially here that this is kind of the closing chapter for it, just because you don’t really get these opportunities within the dance world to be able to put your work on stage.”
A few of the pieces include music from known artists and match the music’s message.
Creger’s piece, “You’re My Adventure,” is set to the song “Sofa” by Ed Sheeran.
“We have a couch; it’s very charming and eclectic,” Creger said. “The piece talks about when you’re with someone — be it a really good friend or a relationship — some of the best time is just being together and it’s saying we can travel the world and do all these things, but I’d rather just stay at home and talk with you. It’s just this kind of comfortable love and comfortable relationship and how that fosters.”
The characterized hip-hop piece titled “Andy’s Room” features songs by Pitbull, Aqua, Trina, Daft Punk and Fall Out Boy. Mechanical engineering junior Brandon-Roy Sadiarin is one of the piece’s choreographers.
“My co-choreographer, Brandon Takahashi, and I were toying around with the idea of what happens when a kid leaves his room, and maybe the toys come to life so it’s kind of like ‘Toy Story’,” Sadiarin said. “The audience can expect a really dynamic show, it’s going to be really fun.”
Tickets are $10 for the public and $8 for students, seniors and children. They can be purchased at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center ticket office. The shows begin at 8 p.m. each night.
