The Nott Memorial will reverberate with dynamic footwork by dozens of dancers when the Lothridge Festival of Dance takes center stage during Steinmetz Symposium Friday, May 10.
The hour-long show is set for 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. Attendance is first come, first served, and will be capped at 400.
Eighty performers will present 15 works in an array of dance styles. Eight student dance clubs are represented, including Bhangra, Dance Team, JAIVE Afrovibes, Hip Hop, K-Pop, Latinx Dance Club, Natyashastra and Tap Club.
“The Steinmetz dance festival is a showcase of skill but also a testament to the power of dance to transcend barriers and forge bonds, enriching the fabric of our campus community,” said Laurie Zabele Cawley, assistant director of the dance program and director of the Steinmetz production.
Cawley and Megan Flynn, the Gustave L. Davis ’59 and Susan S. Davis Director of Dance and artist in residence in the Department of Theater and Dance, have choreographed several pieces.
“The Nott is the perfect venue for live dance because the energy between the audience and performers fills the entire building,” Flynn said. “Steinmetz is truly a celebration of the diversity of dance offerings at Union and our community of artist-scholars.”
Student choreographers include Nishtha Agarwal ’24, Ashlesha Bhagat ’26, Ishika Chourasia ’25, Sofia Cresta ’24, Eva Crowley ’24, Mahek Desai ’24, Aydana Djoroeva ’25, Vivian Escobar ’25, Pheary Kang ’25, Veronah Najjuuko ’26, Grace Newcombe ’25, Hades Panlilio ’26, Lydia Singer ’24, Vaishali Srinivasan ’25 and Armaan Uppal ’26.
“Performing for K-Pop Club at Steinmetz allows us to share culture and music that we love with the community, and it has helped connect K-pop listeners and fans on campus,” said Kang. “We’re a relatively new campus group that began with members that had always wanted to learn and perform K-pop dance covers together. Steinmetz gave us the stage to do just that.”
Others who have worked on the program include Claire Knecht ’26, stage manager; Andrew Bodd, technical director; Brittney Belz, costume coordinator; Robin MacDuffie, scene shop foreman; and Victoria Rotondi and Charlie Jones, arts administrators.
The performance is supported by a gift from Charles Lothridge in memory of his parents, William (Class 1879) and Anna. Other sponsors include Joan and David Henle ’75; Sue and Dr. Gus Davis ’59; and the Gail and Carl George Annual Fund.