Taking the stage: Student Choreography Concert

ABIGAIL SHAUB
PHOTOGRAPHER

LILLIAN ROUTOWICZ
STAFF WRITER

3/16/2026

The annual student choreography concert took place in the Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts on Mar. 14 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  

Alma College dance students have been working hard all semester to choreograph original dances and to bring them to life on the stage in Presbyterian Hall. While the audience enjoyed the show, dancers and choreographers were eagerly watching all of their hard work on a months-long project come together.  

“As a choreographer, we each get a one-hour-long rehearsal each week with our dancers. I would come to rehearsal with some material prepared and teach it to my dancers, building on it each rehearsal. As a dancer, you show up to your rehearsals with your choreographer ready to learn,” said Izzy House (’27). 

The concert is entirely student-led, with students choreographing their own dances and collaborating with other student dancers to showcase them.  

“Everyone has worked so hard over the course of the semester, and you can really see it pay off,” said House. 

Among this year’s student directors was Emily Zatelli (’26). She was responsible for ensuring the show ran smoothly, down to the last detail. She helped hold auditions, created schedules, managed choreographers, heldfaculty showings, coordinated with lighting and costume directors, created a program, worked on the pre-show speech and communicated efficiently with faculty and dancers. 

“Being able to see the full show this week was the most rewarding experience. It takes a lot of hard work, time management and efficiency to get things done. Seeing all your hard work come together to present something we as directors made this happen is really fulfilling,” said Zatelli. 

The final week before the concert was crucial to a smooth opening night.  

“During the week before the concert, we hold tech rehearsal with all the dancers every night of the week. This ensures that every dance can get multiple run-throughs on the stage before the actual concert,” said Zatelli. 

While this past weekend was the first time the concert was open to the public, the dancers have been performing for the past few months. 

“Throughout the semester, we have in-progress faculty showings, where every dance performs in the dance studio. Faculty then give feedback, and dancers use that feedback to improve their piece moving forward. Seeing each dance progress throughout the semester from showings 1 and 2 and then into the show is cool to watch,” said Zatelli. 

Each dance is choreographed by students, for students. Each dance had a total runtime of under five minutes and kept the audience guessing what would come next.  

“Each piece in the connection started as an idea in a student’s head here at Alma College. This concert highlights students’ minds and works. Each choreographer has taken on the challenge of turning movement into something special. Dance has a wonderful way of expressing what words cannot,” said Zatelli. 

The concert brought students and the Alma community together for a celebration of self-expression in a brilliant showcase of the hard work of Alma College dancers. It was a wonderful demonstration of Alma College’s values in action and shone a well-deserved spotlight on the talents of Alma dancers.