Images Courtesy of Nikeya Tankard ’28
Last weekend, Dance Club took to the stage for its annual show titled “Soul Unfiltered.”
“The title came to us after quite a bit of brainstorming,” Dance Club co-president Shira Arokiaraj began. For the past few months, presidents Shira Arokiaraj and Marika Stellwagen have been working diligently through scheduling, auditions, cross-club collaboration and fundraising to prepare for the show.
This year, the show had 2 sections with a total of 15 pieces, all student-choreographed and performed. The shows took place on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1.
“The word ‘soul” felt very important, because we wanted to find a word that honors the passion and commitment of our dancers. [The pieces] were raw and emotive, and the dancers were fearless in the telling of their stories through their performances; the word ‘unfiltered’ matched that.” Arokiaraj said. Stellwagen continued, “Although there was a lot of variety within this show, what unified all of the pieces was how they felt so raw and like an extension of each choreographer. For me, dance is a way I can communicate who I am, and I think this show reflected that in everyone involved.”
“In the lab” choreographed by Marika Stellwagen and Faith Hidenfelter opened up the show, introducing the show with a silly, mischievous, theatrical piece to “Double Life” by Pharrell Williams. Inspired by the Minions franchise, performers Alexandra Bark, Liliana Bent, Tessa Bielak, Sofie Blossom, Westley Cardani, Maddie Caulfield, Ashley Cheeks, Tori Clark, Max Cragin, Lucy D’Avino, Hannah DelGrego, Ruslan Feyzov, Maya Katsovich, Ruth Keith, Ava Mormile, Micah Pryce, Tori Rich, Clara Smith, Delaney Smith, Lily Sutton, and Luke Weidner brought the energy up.
Raw passion was shown through a variety of textures and genres, from “Regal Humanity” by Andrew Solomon, a beautiful, high-energy modern contemporary piece to the songs “interulde (pieces)” and “Makeamends” by adaolisa, to Melissa Sierra’s big and bold “If you got the fattest…” hip-hop piece to “Drop” by Timbaland & Magoo (ft. Fatman Scoop).
Later in the show, the energy stayed up with “Meet You At The Afterparty”, choreographed by Hope Kisakye and Aaliyah Jorden. They spoke to their piece: “As day turns into night, a seamless blend of house, jazz, soul and kwaito spills into the room. Every sound vibrates through the floor, through the dancers, through the crowd. Each move captures the fluidity, rhythm and joy of amapiano.” This piece was performed with sheer joy and energy by dancers Ashley Cheeks, Jeidy Cruz, Kyaira Hall, Aaliyah Jorden, Hope Kisakye, Miranda Medina, Juliet Peters, Melisa Sierra, and Andrew Solomon.
Stellwagen spoke to the production of the show. She said, “Throughout our entire semester, and tech week, our dancers, choreographers, friends at CC Prod, and our Faculty Advisor, shawn hove, went above and beyond to make this show happen.” Arokiaraj reflected, “This club is completely dependent on the people in it and how much passion they have for dance,”
The show was met with its notorious success—nearly every show sold out before the curtains opened, and a standing applause was a given after the soulful showcase.
In the programme for the show, Arokiaraj and Stellwagen concluded, “In our eyes, there truly is no place like Dance Club, and we are so thankful for everyone involved who upholds this wonderful community by continuously showing up and supporting one another.”
