Dance department takes to the stage for spring recital

Up and down the aisles they begged the audience for food, money and help before taking their places on the San Jose City College theater stage.

On May 1-3, the SJCC Dance department took to the stage to rehearse their spring recital, which tackles themes such as poverty and self-worth.

With pointed feet and expressive faces, the performers brought to life their stories through the power of movement.

This year’s spring recital is “mostly choreographed by the faculty with two student choreographed pieces,” said Amber McCall, department head.

The show contained a wide variety of dance styles such as modern, jazz, ballroom, hip-hop and tap.

This variety is reflective of the various dance courses offered at SJCC.

“Our dance program is open to all levels from entry to advanced, and we offer a wide range of courses, so it is open to a lot of people,” McCall said.

This variety was apparent throughout the performance, which showcased people of various ages and skill levels.

A favorite among the crowd was a piece titled “Diagnosis,” which was written by dance instructor Holly Lampe Brosius. The piece featured two female performers who started off as individuals, and through the course of the piece, came together in complex partner work.

“This piece has been really moving and emotional,” said Kimberly Madrigal, 24, photography major and performer of the piece. “It’s so abstract that everybody who watches it can feel something different and make their own interpretations about it.”

Many of the performers made not only great connections among each other, but with the audience as well, drawing them into the story set forth by their body movements.

With the use of projected video, live spoken word and audience interaction, viewers were consistently drawn into each piece through backgrounds and perspectives of the various stories.

As the performance came to a close, the performers took their final bows, hand in hand, to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.

“When you’re studying with somebody and the class is done, the relationships over,” said Robert Davis, 26, art major. “But when you learn how to dance with somebody, it’s like becoming friends with someone for life.”

Over the summer SJCC will offer hip-hop; in the fall it will offer ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern and ballroom.