Theatre TCU students will take the stage at Ed Landreth Auditorium as dancers this weekend as they perform pieces choreographed by their peers.

The Choreographer’s Stage is a student-produced show meant to give students who primarily act and sing an opportunity to develop their dance and choreographing skills.  

“Dance is a large part of our theatre program, so it is important to have opportunities for us to challenge ourselves and put together a dance-focused show,” Madeline Yarbrough, a junior theatre major, said. 

As part of TCU Theatre’s Kaleidoscope Series, each season, students craft and create pieces of interest to them. This year, they chose to choreograph their own dance numbers.  

Students applied to be choreographers in the spring of 2024. Their application outlined their idea and vision for the dance. Those selected chose and edited their music, held auditions, cast dancers in their numbers and designed their costumes.  

“The biggest lesson The Choreographer’s Stage has taught me is that a good choreographer listens and responds to the bodies of their dancers,” Sophie DeYoung, a senior theatre major and choreographer, said. 

In addition to the choreographers, 35 students are dancing, four are responsible for the lighting and one is the stage manager.  

They’ve been rehearsing for the past two weeks.  

“Getting to witness different approaches to dance has broadened my understanding of how this art form can flourish in totally new ways,” said Logan Lowry, a junior theatre major who is dancing at the performance. 

The dancers are often challenged by learning a new style when placed in a choreographer’s dance.  

“Sophie’s dance transitions from a lyrical piece to a fun jazz piece when the song switches,” Yarbrough said. “Practicing being able to switch on a dime like that to a new style is a fun challenge.”  

Laura Strawser, a faculty member of the Department of Theatre, supports the students by scheduling rehearsals and organizing the logistics of the production. Although they have assistance from faculty, Strawser said the students are solely responsible for the creation and performance.

“Our theatre department has done a fantastic job of recruiting and training amazing dancers, but also amazing storytellers,” Lowry said. “These dance pieces aren’t just movements on stage – it is age-old stories waiting to be told. Audience members will be in for a treat.”