Annual Student Choreography Showcase will celebrate the spring season through dance

Annual Student Choreography Showcase will celebrate the spring season through dance

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Fifteen dance majors will present new works at the Casino Theatre in "Come Rain or Come Shine," directed by Lindsay Guarino, associate professor of dance and chair of the Department of Music, Theater and Dance, with co-direction by Julia Paulo '25. Faculty member Carlos R.A. Jones offered mentorship to the student artists through their artistic processes. Performances will be on Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 20, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 pm at the Casino Theater.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for military and seniors, $8 for Salve Regina faculty and staff, and free for Salve Regina students. To purchase tickets, go here.

"Come Rain or Come Shine" celebrates spring, a time when the energy shifts on campus. A year of learning and growth is on full display, and it's also bittersweet as everyone savors the final moments with the senior class before they move on. This moment is especially important for this senior class, who weathered the uncertainty of COVID-19 with grace and optimism.

Choreographers presenting work in the performances on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. are as follows: Livia Armstrong '25, Aleah Begg '25, Ashley Blake '26, Morgan Dubay '24, Trinity Leite '25, Anna Mangino '26, Julia Paulo '25, Mackenzie Robichaud '24, Jala Settles '25, and Taylor Steeves '25, Natalia Taborga '24.

Performances on Friday 7:30 at p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. follow a different program, with choreography by the following artists: Livia Armstrong '25, Ashley Blake '26, Morgan Dubay '24, Sara Green '25, Trinity Leite '25, Elisabeth Muller '26, Julia Paulo '25, Hannah Rezendes '25, Jala Settles '25, Ava Siconolfi '24, Taylor Steeves '25, Natalia Taborga '24.

Paulo '25 stepped into the role of co-director due to an injury that's kept her from dancing since early February.

"As a dancer and choreographer, I have never been on the production side of a performance," said Paulo. "This experience has been very eye-opening, as I was unaware of how much work actually goes into directing a show….working with Lindsay on directing this show has taught me so much and has opened up another possible career avenue for me." Paulo will also premier a new piece titled "Rift."

The concept for "My Treasure," choreographed by Dubay '24, came after studying at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) in Calgary, Alberta, last summer. She heard the song "Sunday" by To Be Continued Brass Band during class and was inspired.

"This trip was so pivotal for me, and I still often think about how vital it was during my undergraduate studies," said Dubay '24. "Every time I would play it, not only was I reminded of the time spent in Calgary, but I would see bright colors, feel the warmth from the sun, and was overwhelmed with jazz and joy. This piece is a snapshot of that point in time for me, a time when I surrendered to jazz and trusted the journey. Salve Dance is my treasure, truly."

Ironically, Settles '25 also found her music inspiration at DJD during a study abroad this past March. She feels that music is the most important part of her choreographic process and draws inspiration from her dancers.

"My new work 'Get Buck' highlights the inner joy that people share through movement in connection to each other," she said.