Dance

Fusing butoh dance theater, hip-hop mixology, new music, and multimedia,the Vermont premiere of time/life/beauty by Michael Sakamoto and Paul D. Miller (aka DJ Spooky) is inspired by the legacy of famed composer-musician and activist Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952–2023). Inspired by the variety and mystery of Ryuichi’s music, interdisciplinary collaborations, and environmental and anti-war commitments, time/life/beauty looks at the past, present, and future of acute cultural, social, and ecological themes in our historical moment.

This informal showing demonstrates the movement research of Technique and Composition DANC0260 and Improvisational Practices DANC0261, led by Professor Laurel Jenkins, with music by Ron Rost and Deborah Felmeth, and lighting by Bert Crosby.

Remarks and awards for Dance department seniors and their families.

The Middlebury Dance Department’s Spring Dance Concert showcases original solos choreographed by students in DANC360, guided by Visiting Assistant Professor Meshi Chavez. Performers include Gabrielle Anchondo ‘27, Odette Castillo ‘27, Josie Cochran ‘25, Meghasha Dangal ‘27, Emma Dobson ‘27, Laura McGinnis ‘28, and Evelyn Rodriguez ‘24.5, with lighting designed by Bert Crosby. 

The Middlebury Dance Department’s Spring Dance Concert showcases original solos choreographed by students in DANC360, guided by Visiting Assistant Professor Meshi Chavez. Performers include Gabrielle Anchondo ‘27, Odette Castillo ‘27, Josie Cochran ‘25, Meghasha Dangal ‘27, Emma Dobson ‘27, Laura McGinnis ‘28, and Evelyn Rodriguez ‘24.5, with lighting designed by Bert Crosby. 

Artists transform the mundane into the sublime. Transformation is the framework we use to understand conflict but it’s also the core lens through which the most profound moments of our lives are refracted. This workshop examines Place-based art/ritual/ceremony as an artistic practice that invites us to reconsider how we understand what it means to belong to each other as well as to the more-than-human world. Everyone is welcome - no prior art experience necessary- all that is required is being deeply human, curious and open to the surprises of creativity!

Leigha Francis ‘25, Brys Peralta-Grant ‘25, and Liefe Temple ‘25.5 share an evening of their culminating senior work, exploring and sharing themes of home, history, rituals, culture, and identity. The show begins at 7:00pm in the Dance Theater and will continue at 8:30pm in the Freeman International Center Bunker.

Leigha Francis ‘25, Brys Peralta-Grant ‘25, and Liefe Temple ‘25.5 share an evening of their culminating senior work, exploring and sharing themes of home, history, rituals, culture, and identity. The show begins at 7:00pm in the Dance Theater and will continue at 8:30pm in the Freeman International Center Bunker.

Dancing Bridges: From Ancestral Steps to Contemporary Beats

Join us for an electrifying dance workshop that takes you on a rhythmic journey from Africa to the Americas. “Dancing Bridges: From Ancestral Steps to Contemporary Beats” explores the dynamic evolution of African dance, weaving together the storytelling ofYoruba Diasporic Dance, the expressive fluidity of Contemporary Dance, and the vibrant energy of Afro-Pop Dance.

Through improvisational structures and set phrase materials, participants will navigate what it means to dance together, discovering how seemingly “simple” frameworks can lead to complex and spontaneous dance-making. This class offers practical tools to enrich dancing as an ensemble and deepen understanding of one’s body in motion, in performance, and in community.