Campus life is filled with student group performances after the halfway mark of the semester. So when all the student groups finish preparing for their semester performances, there’s an overwhelming number of performances to choose from to attend and show support. Over the span of one week, I can proudly say that I went to two of Yale’s student group performances.
Despite the chilly day, I walked to Off Broadway Theater (OBT), Yale’s own black-box theater, near Morse and Stiles College. The first performance I went to was for Yale Movement, a group dedicated to K-pop dances with Urban dance inspiration. The performance started with the recognition of the history of Urban dance and its cultural influences. It was such a packed house despite being a Wednesday, with friends, families, professors, and fans filling every seat. Then, Movement proceeded with a narrative-focused video, creating the storyline for the dance showcase. Along the way, Movement performed classic K-pop covers and added their own twist for special dance collaborations.
Glimpse into this showcase’s story narrative
Amazing backdrop designed by Yale Movement’s production team
Three days later, I made my way back to OBT to watch Yale’s Rhythmic Blue (RB) dance team. This group is a choreography-focused dance group dancing a vast array of styles, including hip-hop, modern, tap, street jazz, and contemporary African. The members of the group are highly varied with people ranging from first-year undergraduates to PhD candidates or graduate school students from Yale Law School (YLS) and Yale School of Public Health (YSPH). This group is entirely student-choreographed, creating a wide-array of styles depending on who is leading the dance, making every performance unique with different combinations of dance styles.
Exciting choreography incorporating synchronized light props
Wide variety of dance styles on display
Although I am not a dancer myself, watching these groups and my friends’ performances allowed me to live vicariously through their passionate, spirited performances. The stomping of feet and cheers from the audience created a feedback loop of energy that left a buzz in the air even after the shows ended. These performances always remind me of how diverse Yalies are in talent and passion and inspired me to sign up for each club’s dance workshops and learn from the people on stage.
