A Final Flourish: Fourth-Years’ Performance in Dance Solo Showcase

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts hosted the 10th anniversary of the Senior Solo Showcase Feb. 23 in the Mundelein Center’s Palm Court. The dancers, graduating this May, each performed solo dances as a capstone to their four years of learning dance at Loyola.

The show featured 11 solos and one group number, showcasing the external beauty of internal growth. 

Parents, friends and other undergraduate dancers came to support the fourth-years as they displayed their individual stories through the art of dance. 

The show was warmly introduced by artistic director Sarah Cullen Fuller, who first implemented the show at Loyola 10 years ago. 

“These performances aren’t just a presentation but a synthesis of the last four years,” Fuller said. “They are extraordinary artists.” 

After the introductions, each performer showcased their individual learning and growth as performative artists. 

The dances all had their own separate choreographers whom they worked together with to create the dance — for example, Fuller was one of the choreographers. 

Each dancer had a unique song choice, including pop hits like “Stay” by Rihanna, late 20th century jazz rhythms and orchestral instrumentals. Dance styles spanned contemporary, jazz and lyrical — which is a jazz-inspired form of ballet. 

All of the dancers were clothed in white, but wore various types of clothing as well to represent their unity as fourth-years but individuality as dancers. 

Expressions from the performers ranged from looks of longing to playfulness, as some bounced joyfully in the air and others moved with a flurry of repetitive moments, clouded by a somber tone. 

Isabel Goetzke, double majoring in dance and anthropology, emphasized audience interaction as she made eye contact with one member and mimicked using a telephone while mouthing, “Call me.” 

Zoe Holland, a dance and communication studies double major, particularly utilized Palm Court’s area, as her dance started and ended with her standing on a chair as a prop. 

Isaac Jung, a fourth-year double majoring in dance and theater, featured many sharp and intense movements while Bri Coleman, a fourth-year double majoring in dance and biology, danced fluidly as she glided across the space in a combination of kicks and leaps. 

Allison Kiewatt, a fourth-year double majoring in dance visual communication, even utilized the time between the music to dance in the silence for a few moments. 

Ariana Vadhera, a fourth-year majoring in dance and double minoring in biology and bioethics premed, utilized Palm Court in a unique way by lying against the wall and looking out to the lake to begin and throughout her wistful performance.

The 11 dancers came together in the end in a display of unity, grasping each other’s hands as a symbol of togetherness. This dance was choreographed by Fuller and the fourth-years. It featured solos, intimate duets, trios and all performers dancing all at once. 

Fourth-year Anna Labriolo, a fourth-year double majoring in exercise science and dance, said the performance held personal significance to her. 

“It demonstrated strength, confidence, perseverance and my personal thumbprint that I want to leave on the Dance Program here at Loyola,” Labriola said. 

Dancers at Loyola will come together again to present the Spring Dance Informance at the Newhart Family Theatre April 25 at 7:30 p.m.