Over the weekend, the Theater and Dance Department put on its annual Fall Dance Concert, in which dancers perform works choreographed by their peers. This year’s show, as always, was superb.
Memorable acts included “In Our Backyard,” a piece choreographed by senior Nicole Cooney. Set to the songs “Dollhouse” and “Tag, You’re It” by Melanie Martinez, Cooney’s dance squad told the story of women in human trafficking, raising awareness to something people tend to overlook despite it being “in our backyard.”
“Heaven’s Viewpoints,” a piece choreographed by junior Amanda Rogus, was also very emotionally-driven. Set to “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, Rogus’s dancers performed as the angels in Heaven, watching over her. The acting and dancing of these performers, as it did in “In Our Backyard,” was utterly 
soul-grasping, and brought some in the audience to tears.
Crowd favorites included the upbeat, funny and sexy pieces “Going Out with a Bang” (set to “Bang Bang” by Jessie J), “Trespassers” (set to “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” by Fall Out Boy), “Werk” (set to “Partition” by Beyonce) and “Show Me How You Burlesque” (set to the song of the same title by Christina Aguilera).
Another memorable piece, “Improvisation #1,” was a clever tap number, in which sophomore Collin Sparks and senior Kieran Conway performed as dancers having a tap dance-off.
The piece “Nikki, I Love You” was also a crowd pleaser, as it showcased the solo talents of Cooney set to an original piano composition from the dancer’s father.
Stand out stars included Sparks, Cooney, Fiete and senior Meagan Biglow, who all danced in several pieces each and performed each one as eloquently as if it were the only piece they had done.
The show was full of fun, flirty and fervent dances that were each beautiful and unique in its own way.
