The PLU dance team held their annual winter concert on Friday, December 8th, and Saturday, December 9th. The weekend event consisted of nine pieces, dabbling in all styles of dance including contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and pom. The show was choreographed by coach Cady Bigelow and included student choreography from dance team members as well.
First-year PLU student and dance team member Soraya Martinez had the opportunity to be one of the student choreographers this year, allowing her to work on her choreographic process. When reflecting on this experience, Martinez stated that “after collaborating with my dancers, I began to develop the choreography to utilize each of their strengths to heighten the emotions and beauty that audiences saw within the final product.”
The show has also provided a platform for students to bring light to their voices within the dance scene at PLU. When asked about the importance of showcasing student choreography, Martinez said, “providing student choreographers opportunities to express their skills brings a new light to both students and their instructors.”
In addition to the many amazing student-choreographed pieces, Cady Bigelow’s interpretation of “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles also held a strong grasp on audience members’ attention. The finale piece showcased every one of the seventeen team members beautifully, from strong leg extensions to powerful jumps. PLU student Caitlyn Babcock said she “…just really loved the variety of the choreography that they had. It just really had these awesome, explosive moments.”
The dancers weren’t the only stars of the evening, however. The support from audience members was overwhelmingly positive. Whether calling out team members’ names mid-performance or a round of applause at the end of each piece, the audience engagement in the show enhanced the sense of community all around.
Follow @pludanceteam for updates, details, and future events.
