Dance showcases feature performing groups across RWU

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Courtesy of RWU Event Operations

RWU’s dance showcase featured all dance clubs across campus.

Kayla Ivan, Arts and Culture Manager

Several dancers and singers took to the stage in the Field House on Saturday, April 24 to perform their dance showcases for viewers online, where they shared their hard work from this past semester despite all of the limitations. Among those performing were the Hawkettes Dance Team for its annual benefit show, Ballroom Dance Club, Drastic Measures A Cappella and RWU Dance Club.

The Hawkettes opened the night with seven dances including jazz, hip-hop and slower contemporary and lyrical pieces. Several choreographers created the dances showcased, including Kristen Cullen, Alexus Moniz and Talia Laurito. During their show, they featured several school dance teams within the area with performances by Springfield College Pride Dance Team, Curry College Dance Team, Suffolk University Dance Company and Southern Connecticut State University.

Next, the Ballroom Dance Club brought together seven dancers, including three graduating seniors, as they featured six dances with styles of rumba, cha-cha and salsa. The performers were Abby Camire, Julia Derocher, Alexis Eley, Rhe Flores, Emily Kiehl, Kaitlyn O’Connor and Nick Polinsky. Throughout their showcase, Ballroom Dance Club featured videos of what their club is all about, the dance styles they learned, competitions from the past years and slideshows for each senior graduating (O’Connor, Kiehl and Polinsky).

Drastic Measures A Cappella group took the stage next with two great songs: “Gives You Hell” by All American Rejects, featuring soloist Caroline Alexandre and “When the Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish, featuring soloists Olivia Lozier and Shannon Petrie. The graduating seniors from the group included Courtney Caouette and Kailyn Preston.

Last but certainly not least in this full night of performances was RWU Dance Club with 19 unique and entertaining dances that included jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical and many other styles. Each e-board member, including Domenica Caico, Michaela Curcio, Nicole Pike and Meghan Marchetti, performed solos that left lasting impressions on the audience as part of the class of 2021 among several other seniors who were featured in the final dance of the show, choreographed by Curcio and Pike.

The talent from these Hawks on display Saturday night was electric and proved these students’ hard work, dedication and love of performing, even in the midst of a global pandemic that reshaped the way their rehearsals and performances have been this past year.