Performances

Each fall semester LMU Dance curates a professional concert dance performance for the Strub Theatre stage. In the first week of the semester, dance majors and dance minors are encouraged to audition for the Fall Concert which takes place in mid-November. This performance provides an opportunity for students to work with high calibre choreographers in an intensive setting, developing a fully conceived, 10–15 minute choreographic work in just ten short weeks. Recent guest artists include Sidra Bell, BODYTRAFFIC, Entity Contemporary Dance, Rennie Harris, JazzAntiqua, Bill T. Jones, Miss Prissy, Karissa Royster, and Volta Collective. With rotating choreographic voices each year, the concert reflects LMU Dance’s commitment to diverse perspectives and professional engagement.

An entirely student-led showcase from production and social media to promotional material and direction, Impulse is a performance that takes place every October in conjunction with LMU Family Weekend. There are no restrictions on this performance and no audition requirements—absolutely any LMU student may participate. This show happens on the beautiful outdoor Drollinger Family Stage and is an amazing way for dance majors and non-dance majors to connect and build community.

The Spring Concert is a student-choreographed show that takes place every April. Choreographers, limited to dance majors, work with dancers of their choosing (any LMU student) in preparation for an adjudication process. Choreographers indicate their interest in participating by submitting a form that includes details about the vision for their piece and are then assigned a faculty mentor who works with them in preparation for adjudication. At adjudication, choreographers present an excerpt of their work to a panel of dance faculty and a select group of choreographers are chosen to move forward in the process. If selected, the choreographers work with their mentor to further develop their choreographic voice, and work with a costume and a lighting designer to see their work come to life.

All students that declare a BA in Performance and Choreography are required to create a culminating senior thesis project in the form of a choreographic work. Students begin to envision their capstone in the spring of their junior year through a course designed to develop students’ understanding of the creative process. It is here where they set their ideas into motion and create a project design for their senior year. The students are mentored sparingly by dance faculty but for the most part, have carte blanche over these projects. The senior thesis concert takes place in late April on the Strub Theatre stage.

The Senior Industry Showcase is a year-long, advanced training program for students in the Choreography and Performance BA who have completed two to three years in LMU’s Commercial Dance Program. Designed to bridge education and industry, the program equips students with essential tools for building sustainable careers in commercial dance through professional development in headshots, resumes, reels, self-taping, and personalized feedback from decision makers and working professionals. Students audition for and are cast in a curated showcase that highlights their individuality, versatility, and artistic strengths. Held at the prestigious Los Angeles Dance Project, the showcase features original choreography by top industry artists such as Robert Green, Dana Wilson, and more.