This event will feature original dance works by students, celebrating creativity and personal stories through choreography.

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago presents "Spring Forward: Student Performance Night" on April 10 and 11, 2025. This high-energy showcase features original choreography by dance majors and offers a platform for student artists to premiere their own creative works. Held at the Dance Center’s 1306 S. Michigan Ave. theater, the concert is free and open to the public with reservation. 

This semester’s concert highlights the talents of Andy Anisco, Emmie Banayat, Kwon Boyd, Lorena Castro, Violet Czerwinski, Sawyer Latimore, Amari Smith, and Imani Smith. For Boyd, Castro, and both Smiths, Spring Forward marks not only their choreographic debuts but also a final milestone in their senior year at Columbia. 

Each choreographer brings a unique voice and personal vision to the stage, reflecting Columbia’s commitment to fostering innovation, identity, and storytelling through dance. 

Andy Anisco’s work ventures into surreal, introspective terrain. “This piece is about me exploring a new world I haven’t been before,” Anisco said. “There’s only one person in that world. I’m trying to find answers, and when I try to talk to that person, the world goes upside down.” 

Several choreographers use movement to center cultural identity and uplift underrepresented voices. “It’s a tribute to us,” said Kwon Boyd. “Mainly Black and POC dancers who are often overlooked—highlighting them and their talents and showcasing it on the big stage.” 

Lorena Castro draws from personal and political themes. “This work provides a platform to showcase the beauty of being Latina,” Castro said, “despite the negative portrayals in the press and politics that often depict Latinidad as violent or unfavorable.” 

“As an Asian creator and performer,” said Emmie Banayat, “I want to highlight some of the music (KPOP), dancing, and visuals I grew up with, and open a gateway for more people who look like me to make their way onto the stage.” 

Other choreographers drew from connection and collaboration in their creative process. “I came up with this piece by taking into account how I want my dancers to feel and the connection to the audience as well,” said Imani Smith. “It was important to me to get the dancers’ input and feedback and allow that to help me shape the piece.” 

Amari Smith, also a senior, emphasized the individuality of her dancers. “I want the audience to witness the creativity, process, and identity of the dancers,” she said. “My piece showcases them and what they bring to the space.” 

Sawyer Latimore centered the physicality and feeling of movement in their work. “It’s an illusion,” Latimore said. “Everyone should experience the textures of movement as if they themselves are the film that Minnie and Time press their story into.” 

Violet Czerwinski’s piece leans into joy and spectacle. “I want the audience to feel transported to the era of the piece and have a smile the whole time,” she said. “This is such a great opportunity to show our voices and share who we are as artists.” 

“This concert is a culmination of the students’ hard work, artistry, and voice,” said Lisa Gonzales, faculty advisor for Student Performance Night. “And right now especially, these pieces go deep.”

• Theatre and Dance
• The Dance Center

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