Elegance leaped across the stage Friday and Saturday at Reflections Repertory Company’s winter showcase, titled “SPOTLIGHT.”
The small venue of Wirtz Ballroom did not disserve the show as dancers filled the room with traditional and contemporary ballet steps. The dances were choreographed to modern pop songs, taking a fun spin on what is typically thought of as traditional ballet.
Dancers began with a full company number to Britney Spears’ hit song “Toxic.” The performance was energetic and engaged the audience right away.
The iconic piece set the tone for the graceful yet lively choreography that was to follow the rest of the night. The show also ended with “Gimme More,” another Spears hit, which created a full circle moment for the show.
After the opening number, several executive board members welcomed the audience to the show and also took a moment to acknowledge the history of ballet. This addition was impactful since they took the time to recognize the non-inclusive roots ballet is often known for.
They recognized the elitism and racism that historically accompanied ballet. The acknowledgement set the stage for the show’s modern and culturally inclusive take on ballet as a form of expression.
The performance featured a guest duet from Typhoon Dance Troupe. Performed by fourth-year psychology Ph.D candidate Ouxun Jiang and fourth-year math Ph.D. graduate student Guoran Ye, the duo floated across the stage, enchanting the audience with poised lifts. These dancers truly made their performance look effortless and had a breathtaking fluidity of movement.
At the beginning of the show, there was a fast-paced dance to the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.” The dancers moved with the music in an alluring way, not just moving to the lyrics of the song, but also its intense beats. They created a beautiful expression for this strong track.
There were several dances that were extremely fierce. One such performance was Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi.” That dance rocked the audience and had everyone cheering loudly. The slinky and sexy choreography also brought the song to life.
Notably, the dance to Florence + The Machine’s “Choreomania” was beautifully choreographed. The dance was powerful with great musicality — the beat of the music was accompanied by artistic jumps that made for a stellar performance. The big lift, where the group hoisted a dancer into the air on her back, had the audience on the edge of their seats.
All in all, I felt the show was a refreshing remediation of ballet that captivated the audience, including myself. By mixing pop hits, ballet choreography and contemporary pieces, Reflections succeeded in a graceful and engaging winter showcase.
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