Since the beginning of the semester, the Butler University Dance Club has been diligently preparing for both an end-of-year showcase and a ballet performance based on the story of “Dracula”. The performances took place on Saturday, April 11, at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The Shelton Auditorium was jam-packed with the family and friends of performers, but also featured a livestream for those who could not physically attend. While costuming and props were minimal, not much was needed to illuminate the joy of each and every member of the dance club.
The showcase featured a wide range of dance styles, starting at the beginning with an upbeat hip-hop medley, and finishing off with a contemporary performance commemorating senior members.
Each dance was assigned a student choreographer, making every song an explosion of students’ personal creative expression. While some dances were choreographed and performed solo — such as senior goodbye dances — the majority of the showcase consisted of group performances. Skill levels ranged from absolute beginner to lifelong dancers, but still, the contentment of every dancer made every performance a cohesive work.
In the final act, dancers were seen embracing and congratulating each other almost the moment the music stopped.
Sam Gulotta, a junior critical communication and media studies major, is the president of the dance club. Gulotta described the club’s positive environment.
“[When you’re] spending a lot of time together and having something in common, like dance, you’re gonna be friends,” Gulotta said. “I try to foster a really healthy environment that’s not like dance studios. Those can be toxic. I think [the] dance club is just a place where everyone feels welcome.”
Butler’s dance program is one of the strongest in the country — in fact, in 2019, it was ranked third in the nation. In contrast to the selective Butler dance program, the Dance Club is open to all skill levels. Gulotta believes the open access creates a more welcoming environment and attracts students from all sectors of campus.
“I know not everyone’s in the dance club, obviously, but [we have] people from every single college on campus,” Gulotta said. “I think it’s just a place of unity for all the Bulldogs … I see so many people on campus that I know [now].”
Dancers are encouraged to choose the groups that match with their skill level and interests, so each group’s style is slightly different. Some notable inclusions were a jazz cover of “Dreamer” by Laufey, a tap version of “Colors” by Black Pumas and a sleek and fully costumed dance to “Haunted” by Beyoncé.
Alyssa Sodergren, a first-year sociology and criminology combined major, described the preparation process preceding performance weekend, which included emergency rehearsals and a six-hour dress rehearsal. Despite the demanding time commitment, Sodergren emphasized that the leadership in the club made it feel breezy.
“We have an amazing leadership team, amazing ballet director and other leadership people,” Sodergren said. “They are the core, [and] they keep it running smoothly. They’re always there for you.”
Club spaces are unique portals on college campuses. While classes are great ways to make friends, there is nothing quite like meeting new people from all different majors, and connecting over a shared niche interest. For Dance Club, the inclusive environment is one that club members across the board reported as its greatest strength.
Summer Marcinkus, a sophomore entrepreneurship and supply chain major, cited dance club as a space that created some of her strongest bonds.
“I genuinely wouldn’t have a lot of the friends that I do right now if it weren’t for the club, which is so great,” Marcinkus said. “I think participating in clubs is a huge way to gain friends, especially in college, and it was really, really helpful for me.”
As the spring semester wraps up, Butler Dance Club is one of many student organizations that must tearfully say goodbye to the seniors that have been with them from the start. After the last bows, as performers stood glowing on stage, Gulotta and Butler Dance Club Vice President, Addie Dobry, presented each senior with their favorite flowers. The catch? The flowers were hand-crocheted.
“All the colors mean something,” Gulotta said. “There’s white, pink and yellow for pride and new beginnings.”