Bold red lights set the backdrop as twenty-five dancers take the stage. They perform a contemporary dance to Adele’s “Rumor Has It,” starting the show off with a powerful, energetic and exciting tone.
This Thursday and Friday, the Notre Dame Dance Company (Dance Co.) will present their spring showcase, featuring an impressive 30 dances with 90 performers spread out across all the acts. The show highlights many dance styles, with everything from lyrical contemporary to upbeat tap, to energetic hip-hop, to jazzy musical theatre, to classic ballet. The variety does not end with just the style of dance, but the music too. Acts feature songs by artists of all genres: Noah Kahan’s folk style, classic rock from the Eagles, classical orchestra from “Carnival of the Animals” and “Sleeping Beauty” and a David Guetta upbeat mix. This spring showcase has something for every kind of dance fan, as well as those not well versed in dance, as all the acts provide a few minutes of musical, lyrical beauty and are an entertaining watch.
The program alternates between large group numbers and smaller ensembles, duets and solos. I found these smaller pieces to be among the best of the show. The large numbers, while definitely full of skill, vibrance and energy, all began to run together in my head by the end of the two hour show. With similar costumes, moves and music, these large contemporary numbers begin to lack differentiation and become slightly repetitive, with rows of girls all performing the same motions at (roughly) the same time. In small numbers, dancers can have their moment to shine in the spotlight, highlighting the immense skills each individual on stage possesses.
While every act had something great to show for it, a few stood out to me a little extra. The trio of Clare Hoban, Julia Hartweger and Molly Nosal dancing to “Life Goes On” by Ed Sheeran presents viewers with not only beautiful contemporary dancing skills and precise, satisfying movement, but the integration of the choreography, costumes and lighting work in perfect harmony with the lyrics of the song. Additionally, the hip-hop dance called “Feedback” gives a high-energy, sparkling sensation, flipping the vibes of everything leading up to the act. The dance is club-meets-cardio, where the twenty-five dancers bring unmatched energy, smiles, glitter, and athleticism to the stage.
The tap acts consistently shine as some of the most fun, visually and aurally satisfying, and represent the best of what Dance Co. stands for: talented dancers happily and excitedly sharing their gifts. Of all the dances, the hip-hop and tap dancers had the most expressive faces, clearly enjoying the art that they were performing.
The three ballet performances also provided a pleasant switch from the many contemporary dances. The ballerinas exuded poise and control, all clearly well-trained, probably long before coming to college. There are three ballet acts, one being a solo by senior Dora Tomko to a “Sleeping Beauty” variation, and two other group numbers. The ballets show a promising future for not only ballet within Dance Co., but also for the emerging Ballet Club.
The Notre Dame Dance Company spring showcase lives up to its name. A bright, beautiful performance, it serves as the perfect segue out of a long, cold winter, and into a hopeful spring. The talented dancers, ranging across all grades and dance styles, work in harmony to present a wonderful display of skill, grace, emotion and joy. Dancers and non-dancers alike will surely enjoy this showcase, making it a worthwhile experience for anyone looking to explore Notre Dame’s student arts scene.
