Winter Dance Collection with choreographer Kia Smith and original work by students and faculty

Performed by SEMO students in the dance program, the Winter Dance Collection is showcased on the big stage.

Their opening show was on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m., with following dates on Feb. 16-17, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2:00 p.m.

With guest choreographer Kia Smith, artistic director and founder of the South Chicago Dance Theatre, the Winter Dance collection contains multiple pieces choreographed by student dancers.

SEMO instructor and faculty member of theater and dance Alyssa Alger gave a brief explanation of the set list for the 2024 Winter Dance Collection,

“It’s really fun. So, we have just such a wide variety of styles of dance and structures within the pieces.” Alger said.

There were four student choreographers with dancers starting from the freshman up to seniors.

To prepare for this earlier performance, some students had to come back a week before this semester started.

Junior dance and advertising major Zoie Matthews said In preparation for the upcoming performance, students had to attend long rehearsals every week along with their normal school schedules.

“We had rehearsals from five to nine all week,” Matthews said.

Performing in his first dance production, junior acting major Zay Williams said his favorite piece was the opening act, “L.E.D,” choreographed by dance student Lexie Stites.

“Lexie Stites did a great job of letting the dancers have their own individuality inside the piece. So that’s probably my favorite to be in,” William said.

Act Two in the Winter Dance Collection was a 25-minute-long dance, choreographed by instructor Alger, titled “Rhapsody,” a ballet piece produced by a total of 20 SEMO students.

“We rarely do an entire second act of one thing. So, this is like only the second time we’ve done that, I think that sets this apart.” Alger said.

Junior interior design major Tristan Orine said, After watching the opening night of the Winter Dance collection, it was obvious how much work went into the show.

“I liked the ballet, you can just tell they [the dancers] put in a lot of work,” Orine said.

Moving Perspectives is the next production for the dance program. On April 19-20, 7:30 p.m. at the Rust Flexible Theatre, SEMO students have created and will be performing contemporary dance and physical theater pieces.