Weibel, who was born and raised in Switzerland, has extensive choreography experience in both Europe and the United States. Currently, she works as a dance professor at Muskegon Community College. As a guest choreographer, Weibel is teaching GVSU students a piece titled “Life Forms” for the Spring Dance Concert. While many dance program guests only stay for a week-long residency, Weibel will be at GVSU throughout the month of March.

For the Spring Dance Concert, Weibel aimed to create a piece that provokes thought and discussion, rather than just being aesthetically pleasing. She also hopes to inspire audiences to reflect more carefully and draw their own interpretations regarding their relationship with the planet.

“It’s really important that we are careful with our life forms (and) our earth,” Weibel said. “Maybe when we look at it (the planet) a little bit closer and see all the miracles that are presented in (the) tiny details, we’ll end up being a little bit more careful and not as wasteful as we are.”

“Life Forms” explores the evolution of life and incorporates themes related to humans and the natural world. Weibel’s choreographic style and approach to creating pieces is influenced by the European notion of Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), which pulls from various art forms to create a cohesive whole.  

“It’s more like interpretive dance,” said Anissa Faison, a GVSU dance student in Weibel’s piece. “We’re supposed to evolve into animals. You’re not going to really be an animal because you’re a human, but (you have to) interpret that through dance and find ways to move your body to make that happen.” 

Students are continuing to work with Weibel across multiple sessions to develop the piece, which is a notable departure from the typical one-week guest residency. Weibel said that working with students for longer periods of time allows for deeper engagement and co-creation. 

“It’s less pressure,” Faison added. “I feel like I can take more time to make sure I learn, and (am) clean with my movement.”

Guest artists from different dance backgrounds and techniques are frequently brought in for GVSU students to experience different forms of choreography and performance styles.

“(The piece) is outside my comfort zone and dance (style) that I’m usually used to being cast in,” Faison said. “It’s definitely going to push me forward in my artistry.

Although Weibel said she has performed the piece before, she added that she was excited to collaborate with GVSU’s dance program because of the distinguished students within it. 

“I love the different caliber of dancers here at GVSU,” Weibel said. “I’ve been missing working with higher-level dancers, so this opportunity to work with them was intriguing.”

Above all, Weibel vocalized that dance is a subtle art form, and that audience members can interpret performances with their own experiences, eyes and emotions.

“I prefer to communicate that way (through dance),” Weibel said. “The communication is, not only from my side, but also in the eye of the beholder.”

Normington graduated from GVSU in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Theatre. She spent her time as a student involved in a number of campus theatre productions and projects. One of these programs was ReACT!, a peer education theatre group that provided support to sexual assault survivors and prevention programs at the University.

“Lindsey was a driving force as an actor and program creator for several years in ReACT!,” said Allison Metz, a GVSU professor in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. “(Lindsey joining the group) was my first opportunity to start to really get to know her on a personal level and I quickly realized she had the makings of a person who was destined to make an impact on our world.”  

Since her graduation, Normington has made a career for herself in both the film and music video industries. Normington relocated to Los Angeles, California, and has notably worked for artists like Fall Out Boy, Tove Lo, Swae Lee and Girl in Red. She has also landed features in numerous television shows, such as Netflix’s “True Story” and “Blindspotting,” and HBO’s “The Idol.” 

Additionally, Normington has been involved in labor activism, as she played a role in organizing the only unionized strip club in the United States.

“(Normington) was already a really good actor (at GVSU),” Metz said. “She also clearly understood the power of using performance beyond the stage to create positive social change, which showed a maturity and intelligence beyond her years.” 

Normington’s success has become a beacon of inspiration among GVSU students with similar goals and aspirations. Film student Georgia Hessel shared her excitement over Normington’s involvement in the Oscar winning movie. 

“I was surprised when I found out Lindsey went to GVSU after I saw ‘Anora’ for the first time,” Hessel said. “It made me feel a lot of pride and excitement toward being a GVSU student involved in collaborative arts.”

Hessel added that seeing a GVSU alumna on a stage as big as the Oscars left a vivid, inspirational picture for her. She feels that for any other theatre students who may have been watching, the moment was very impactful.

“It was really cool to see Lindsey on stage while watching the Oscars,” Hessel said. “I felt like, hey, if she could do it, why can’t I be up there too?”

The impact Normington continues to have on the University’s theatre community especially resonated with Metz. 

“Seeing Lindsey on the Oscar stage with the ‘Anora’ team accepting the award for Best Picture (was) an incredible sight that continues to bring tears to my eyes,” Metz said. “It (Normington’s involvement in the film) feels unreal, (but to) anyone who has firsthand experience knowing what a special person Lindsey is, it makes perfect sense.”  

The musical was based on the classic novel “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and followed four sisters– Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March– as they came of age during the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The cast and crew did their best to bring the audience into the March sisters’ world through the script and engaging prop use. 

“There is a scene where Jo and Beth are flying kites, and we actually fly kites in the show,” said Natalie Tripp, who played Jo March. “I thought this (flying kites) was a cool (choice by the) director. I think it (the choice) brings the audience into the world (of “Little Women”) a bit more.” 

Tripp said that opening night was great, but it was difficult because she was fighting through the beginning of a sickness. 

“I think I did well given the situation,” Tripp said. “I felt proud of the performance, (but) it was hard because I was coming down with an illness and the role is very physically demanding.”  

Maddie Cooper, who played Beth March, said a large number of cast and crew members became sick, which resulted in the cancellation of their third performance on Sunday, Feb. 9. Despite this, Cooper said the crew still fought for the rest of the showtimes to be energy-packed.

“We had so much energy,” Cooper said. “We were like, ‘Okay, this is serious, we have to keep this energy up for the second show,’ especially since a couple of people were getting sick. Overall, we had a great first weekend.”

Tripp added that from an audience perspective, you wouldn’t know she was fighting off an illness. 

“I posted a picture that we canceled the show because of illness, and my friend (who went to the second performance) said, ‘I hope everyone in the cast is okay,’ not knowing I was the one (who) was sick,” Tripp said.

Cooper said audience members also supported the cast and crew by laughing through each joke and voicing their feedback of feeling drawn into the musical. Tripp added that the cast heard from audience members about how they loved the show’s staging.

“You might feel like you didn’t deliver the line the way you wanted, or maybe there’s a joke that you don’t think the audience will get, but they were right there with us, which helps so much,” Cooper said. “It’s validating (of) what you are doing and (keeps) the momentum going to get through the show.” 

Anna Bremmer, who played Meg March, said the cast and crew got through the performances’ challenges by encouraging and supporting each other. 

“I think we all just felt comfortable with our characters, and we were able to portray what the scenes entailed,” Bremmer said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Elite Dance was founded in 2022 for dancers proficient in lyrical, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop movements. President of Elite Dance, Savannah Auito, helped choreograph the winning piece, and said her love for the group has only grown since joining three years ago. 

“It was exciting for a lot of us to compete,” Auito said. “Most of us thought we were done competing after high school.” 

Elite Dance grants members a fun and relaxed atmosphere while still pushing them to grow their technique at the collegiate level. Bringing the team to a competition was an indication of their growth. 

“It was a really fun opportunity to get back out on the floor and be in that competitive atmosphere that we were striving for when creating the club,” Auito added.

Hannah Salembier, the club’s vice president, said she had not competed in almost three years and enjoyed getting back out in a competitive light.

“I’ve been to this competition before when I was in high school, so it was (like) taking a step back in time,” Salembier said. “It was also a good team bonding experience because not everyone (in the club) is from that area (Clarkston).” 

Salembier added that the team walked away with a boost of self-confidence and bragging rights after working diligently on the winning routine’s intricate details.

“It was a confidence booster for us,” Salembier said. “It was super exciting (and) a feel good thing.”

Auito agreed, saying it was amazing to be recognized and celebrated for the team’s hard work.

“(There was) a lot of fine-tuning and drilling of sections to make (the dance) look good,” Auito said. “It was a team effort and we all put our best out on the floor.” 

Auito and Salembier both hope the team will continue to branch out and enter more competitions in the future, helping to strengthen the dancers’ skills.

“I want to see them (the dancers) continue to have the same drive and love for dance that this team has now,” Auito said. “We’ve grown so much. There were five (dancers) and now we have grown to a team of 23. Seeing everyone loving it and working so hard is really all we wanted.”

She added that the club encourages members to create lifelong friendships through their shared love of dance. 

“The transition from high school to college can be hard,” Auito said. “We all know you are giving up a lot of things when you leave high school, so it’s a great way to continue those things you loved.”

Elite Dance club’s next performance will be at a Grand Rapids Gold basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Although the Midwestern dance scene is significantly smaller than that of New York or Los Angeles, the community is familiar and encouraging. Each time a new group steps on stage, they are welcomed with loud cheers.

“(The Midwestern dance community) is tight-knit,” said Claire DiFranco, the creator and host of The Main Event. “Everyone knows everyone. It’s so nice to see everyone come together.” 

DiFranco created The Main Event in 2021 as an opportunity for the community to support and showcase local dance talent. She said that while it can be hard for students to find ways to keep performing after graduation, The Main Event provides them with a place to shine.

“It’s not a competition (or about) whose better,” DiFranco said. “I want it to be big (and) inviting. I want everyone to be part of it.” 

DiFranco added that she created the event as a way to bring different dance styles together. At the showcase, hip-hop dancers cheered on their contemporary peers and K-pop dance friends. The venue’s old, wooden stage bolstered everything from bare feet to sneakers, tap shoes and heels.

“I wanted it to be about bringing all forms of art together,” DiFranco said. “I’m hoping that (after this year) The Main Event will have an even larger following, and I can bring more artists together (in the future).”

GVSU’s hip-hop dance team Move 2 The Beat has performed in several of The Main Event’s showcases, and this gathering was no exception. Each year, the event’s enthusiastic crowd and positive energy motivate the group to drive almost three hours.

“Getting to watch everybody (is) inspiring,” said Jenae Bennett, vice president of Move 2 the Beat. “The energy between everybody is pretty awesome.”

The group performed to a mixtape of four songs, each choreographed by a small selection of students within the club. This gave every member in the performance a chance to showcase unique, artistic movement. On stage, the group’s mutual trust and friendship was apparent, as members moved and interacted with ease. Dancers shared in their expression and training with fluid familiarity as they, quite literally, moved to the beat. 

Move 2 the Beat provides students with a passion for dance the opportunity to move together, despite their differing majors and experience levels. 

Lily Zevalkink, Move 2 the Beat’s secretary, said the group’s close community compelled her to join.

“I joined my freshman year to make friends and because I love dancing,” Zevalkink said.

Bennett echoed her teammate’s words, saying Move 2 the Beat’s community is what keeps her performing.

“(Dance) is one of my passions, but also this community (Move 2 the Beat),” Bennett said. “Going into it, we’re all really shy, but then we get out of our shells. It’s nice to grow in that confidence together.”

Weiberg is one of five seniors completing their capstone this semester, “Strength in Motion,”

through Grand Valley State University’s dance program. The showcase is a collection of 10 entirely student-composed works ranging in movement style, theme, emotion and performance. Each senior’s group piece, as well as a self-choreographed solo, will take center stage during the performance. The showcase will take place on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. This event will have free admission and will take place in the Haas Center for Performing Arts in Studio 1600.

“I am extremely proud of the work I have put out, and being a part of each stage of the creative process,” Weiberg said. “The most rewarding moment of this process has been watching my group dance evolve and become an experience audience members can be immersed in.”

The five capstone seniors this fall semester are Weiberg, Jenna Altman, Chloe Schram, Alexandria Gilbertson and Gracelyn Guild, who have built the show over the course of the semester. The capstone showcase, “Strength in Motion,” represents a pivotal moment for the seniors, concluding four years of movement exploration, challenges and hard work. This class of seniors performed for the first time

with the dance program wearing protective face coverings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time they had finished their first semester of college, reported COVID-19 cases had reached an all-time high.

The group has been responsible for getting the performance off the ground, from holding auditions to casting dancers, choreographing pieces, hiring light and sound professionals and even supervising technical elements from backstage. According to Weiberg, the stress of managing the logistics of the showcase has made her even prouder to present the finished product. 

“My capstone experience has been so enjoyable (and) I have tried to savor every moment with my cast,” Weiberg said. “This show means so much to me, as it sums up my experience as a GVSU dance major, and displays my personal aesthetic.” 

Variations in themes and emotion throughout the show allow the audience to experience excitement and energy from the performance, as well as a contrasting emotional depth from its more complex concepts. A press release for “Strength in Motion” stated that some themes explored during the concert are growth, connectivity, frustration, vulnerability, identity and empowerment.

As a choreographer, Altman identified a vulnerability that she hadn’t been used to. She said the most difficult part of putting together the capstone showcase was trusting herself to create.

“It’s not easy to turn an idea into a product, especially handing someone else your idea so it can blossom,” Altman said. “It was very vulnerable being at the front of the room, watching the process transform into a full product was inspirational.”

Collaborating with three dancers to create a duet, Altman’s piece, “What’s said and done,” invokes feelings of domestic familiarity. The piece highlights the organic nature of conversation and the frustration of a breakdown in interpersonal relationships. 

“The piece (created by Altman) will take the dancers through a whirlwind of emotions as they converse through sharp, aggressive motifs, intentional and abrupt prop work, and various kinds of contact movements,” the press release said. 

Altman commented that the piece began as an extension of herself and developed a “life of its own” as the dancers got more comfortable. Over time, dancers began to include bits of their own personal experiences.

“I’m proud of the dancers who just understood my internal monologue,” Altman said. “They made it come alive, and I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m also proud of myself. I’ve never made a piece out of nothing (and) it was truly moving to see the dancers take ownership of the piece and become part of it.” 

Altman’s solo work follows similar notions of conversation and relationships through a personal lens. The solo “and for My Name, My Heart cries” provides an organic viewing experience that highlights “raw vulnerability within finding oneself,” according to the press release.

Schram addresses coming to terms with the social perception of being queer in a solo titled “Violet Kaleidoscope.” 

“My solo is very vulnerable and has challenged me,” Schram said. “(It pushed me) to explore my abilities, performing my own choreography in front of a large audience.” 

Schram, Weiberg and Altman collectively agreed the most difficult part of the experience was developing a self-performed solo for the showcase. Weiberg said despite the nerves of performing a solo, she looks forward to sharing all that the group has accomplished at the show.

“Creating a solo on myself was one of the most challenging tasks during this process, but (was also) very rewarding,” Weiberg said. “People can expect a fun show with a lot of different styles and emotions throughout.”

The capstone showcase demonstrates countless hours of time, dedication and passion for the craft from every student involved. This is underscored by the advanced technical training, culturally rich education and meaningful connection each senior has cultivated over the past four years. Schram said she will cherish the fond memories of rehearsing for the show over the course of the semester. 

“This experience has been very special to me, getting to work with eight dancers for my group piece, choreographing my own unique style on them and seeing it come together has been very rewarding,” Schram said. “I have loved getting to know these dancers so well, laughing and being vulnerable with them each week at rehearsal.”

The play, which was written by Lynn Nottage and directed by GVSU Professor Demetria Thomas, follows a Black seamstress in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. Throughout the play, she searches for love and fulfillment among a community of others who are looking for the same thing. The audience got to watch as the seamstress made decisions rooted in affection, and a desire for connection. 

MTD’s choice to show “Intimate Apparel” was intentional. This was the first time in the past 15 years that the University’s theatre program had produced a play written by an African American female playwright.   

“As a Black tenure track professor, I wanted the opportunity to tell stories about Black people, Black love and Black life,” Thomas said. “This piece fit right into those categories. It’s a lovely story about love (and) searching for real connection between human beings. (It shows) how challenging that can be, but also how wonderful it is when it happens.”

Thomas hoped the audience would relate beyond its heartfelt story, and learn from the universal need for connection that goes beyond race, gender, sexual identity and cultural background. She emphasized that people desire to feel connected to others and that, because of certain social and political constraints, some people have a harder time finding true connections than others.  

“I want the audience to really respect (the seamstress), and search for that connection,” Thomas said.

Shayna Davis, a GVSU senior in the theatre program, played the role of the seamstress. She said that her character emphasized the struggle of social hierarchy, especially as a married woman in the 20th century.

“(The issue) is more so the social hierarchy and (how) at the turn of the century, you were expected to be married and start having children (at a certain age),” Davis said. “(My character) defied that social aspect because she was 35 years old, (and) was expected to be married by at least (the age of) 23.” 

Davis’ character struggled with social and gender norms throughout the play, and experienced social exclusion such as not being invited to parties and community events. When her character finally marries, the audience watches her move up in the social hierarchy, but after the marriage starts to suffer, so does her character’s social status. 

“The plot to me means that there are students that you have to let speak,” Davis said. “You cannot settle in the things that you cannot control, but you have the power to change the things that you can.” 

Davis hoped the audience took away the message that individuals should not follow what everyone else in society is doing, but rather represent who they are as individuals. 

“Intimate Apparel” will be showing again in the Black Box Theatre from Nov. 21-24.

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance (MTD) invited Clancy to share her artistic experience with students and teach them her unique style of ballet, contemporary and modern dance. In addition to teaching dance students, Clancy created choreography and hosted auditions for a musical and vocal number that will be used at the dance program’s upcoming fall showcase.

Chloe Schram, a GVSU dance major, said that working with Clancy provided unique insight into the multi-performative world of music and dance. 

“(Clancy) is skilled in several different areas,” Schram said. “The piece that we’re doing, it’s her music. She’s singing in it, so she’s a musician and dancer. I don’t believe that I’ve ever done that, learning a piece from a choreographer and then dancing to their music (singing).”

On her website, Clancy describes her solo performances as having been defined as haunting, both in their movement and vocally. Her genre is broad and has helped to expand her profession across live stages, films and teaching opportunities.     

Schram said that Clancy’s piece for GVSU dancers reflects her different and unique style, introducing a movement that many of the dancers hadn’t encountered before.

“(Clancy’s piece) incorporates a lot of contemporary, but it’s kind of somber (and) a little eerie,” Schram said.

Haley Rosendale, another GVSU dance major, said that Clancy is one of the sweetest and calmest choreographers who has taught at GVSU. 

“Her piece is very pretty and slow,” Rosendale said. “The music is really beautiful.”

Rosendale added that there are many different styles within ballet and described Clancy’s piece as neoclassical, which showcases more abstract movement than classical ballet traditionally does.

“(Clancy) kind of combines contemporary and ballet,” Rosendale said. “You’re very flowy and moving your whole body through everything.” 

Both Rosendale and Schram said that Clancy’s mix of ballet and contemporary style took some getting used to, as it was a new creative process to learn and explore.

“It’s challenging in a positive way to really take on the movement and the vibe of the piece,” Schram said. “(We) really have to be in our movement and not speed anything up because it is a slower piece.” 

MTD invites guest teachers like Clancy to provide students with a broader range of education and dance experiences. Rosendale said it is very helpful for dance students to have the opportunity to work with guest choreographers and dancers, as it helps guide them into the professional world of dance and performance after graduation.

“Any guest artists we have (at GVSU) share their past experiences and their professional time,” Rosendale said. “Getting to hear their stories, tips and different styles (is) honestly very impactful on all of us because we strive to go into the professional world once we graduate.”

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., in partnership with Priority Health, has been hosting the Free Outdoor Summer Fitness Series for nine years. The summer event series offers exercise classes throughout the week, including dance, cardio and yoga in the city’s parks and public spaces.

Among these classes, Rebecca Mubiayi, a former Grand Valley State University dance professor and studio owner at Seben Dance, a local African dance school, hosts a class every Wednesday evening. 

“I did dance when I was younger, in Congo, and I love dance,” Mubiayi said. “Every time I hear some drumming somewhere, you see me running toward it.” 

Mubiayi moved from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to America in 2011 and wanted to continue dancing, but she couldn’t find an African dance class to attend. She decided to start teaching African dance to others in hopes that they would enjoy its movements as much as she does.

“Every time I’m dancing, I’m always smiling,” Mubiayi said. “I find so much joy in African dance, and I wanted to share that joy with everybody.”

Mubiayi’s efforts to bring joy through dance have not gone unnoticed. Jessica Gaffey, a Grand Rapids resident, attends the classes with her friends as a way to get moving and stay connected. 

“(Mubiayi) is really passionate about dance, and she’s got a lot of energy,” Gaffey said. “You can tell that she loves this, and I’m just grateful that she was willing to share her knowledge with us.”

Gaffey also said the African dance class, along with the other classes offered in the series, helps provide a sense of community and growth within Grand Rapids.

“(These classes are) a way to get people to try something they wouldn’t necessarily try, and for us to appreciate our green space, which is really important,” said Gaffey. “When people use this space, it’s more of an incentive to preserve it.” 

Cam Martin, a Parks and Recreation employee in Grand Rapids, helps set up and sanction the different events in the fitness series. Martin added that bringing different cultural experiences into the city can help educate and connect people.

“Grand Rapids has a pretty large African community,” Martin said. “So helping express that culture to all the people in Grand Rapids is very beneficial to the community.”

The message that Mubiayi wants people to take away from her dance classes is similar. She encourages people to move every day and embrace the happiness that comes with dance, regardless of the style or culture behind it. 

“It keeps you healthy (and) it keeps you away from the hospital,” said Mubiayi. 

Mubiayi’s free weekly classes will continue until the outdoor fitness series ends on Aug. 22.

The concert, which is part of the Senior Project capstone course for dance majors at GVSU, is entirely student-produced. This semester, each student chose to choreograph a solo and ensemble piece that requires them to utilize their knowledge and experiences from GVSU. Students are given free range and complete control over their capstone project, provided that it relates to what they have learned. 

As part of the process, the dancers have to learn how to correctly light the concert, come up with logistics for the show, get in touch with videographers and photographers and set contracts. They are also encouraged to incorporate other elements they feel will help them transition into the professional world post-graduation. 

“We take off a lot of the guardrails on this (the capstone project) and turn them (senior dance students) loose,” said Carrie Brueck Morris, Dance Curriculum Coordinator and Professor of Dance at GVSU. “It’s a lot of work, but for most, I think it’s very rewarding in the end for them to see what they’ve accomplished.”

Preparation for the concert began at the beginning of the semester. Students were required to submit a project proposal and host auditions, followed by weekly rehearsals. The weekly rehearsals, which only last for two hours, are linked to the success of the ensemble piece. 

Emma Buschle, a senior Dance and Advertising and Public Relations major, is setting a her ensemble piece, titled “And Still They Move,” on six dancers. In the press release for the concert, Buschle wrote that the performance “captures how resilience and community (are able to) forge stability.”

The idea of resiliency, Buschle said, was partially inspired by her dance journey at GVSU, which started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Buschle said she felt isolated from her peers and disconnected from the dance program during lockdown. 

“It’s (the senior dance concert) representative of where I started as a freshman and will end as a senior,” Buschle said. “I’ve grown to appreciate the community aspect of dance because it’s hard to enjoy when you’re isolated.”

Another senior dancer in the concert, Kaylynn Betts, said that initial experience at GVSU started out much different than she expected. Betts recalled the awkwardness of rolling up her dorm room carpet to dance for her virtual freshman-year ballet class and standing in taped boxes on the floor during rare studio sessions.

“I didn’t realize how much better (dance classes were) until sophomore year when things started to slowly go back to normal,” Betts said. “(Although), we still had to wear masks. Nothing was truly ‘normal’ until my junior year.”

On the cusp of presenting her own choreographed and produced performances, Betts said she is proud of how far all of her peers have come. 

“Seeing everyone’s personal artistry come through in their work is so inspiring, and (it’s) amazing to see how far we’ve come since starting as freshmen in (taped boxes due to COVID-19 precautions),” Betts said. 

The first performance of the show will take place on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., while the Dec. 9 concerts will be performed at both 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The GVSU dance seniors encores the public and GVSU community to attend the free concert and support the student-produced dance performances.