The Department of Dance at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance presents What Remains, with choreography by senior Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance majors Alexandra Baron, Audrey DeGuia, Alyssa Hernandez, Megan Piagentini, Olivia Weber, and Kaitlyn Wilson. Tickets are free, available at the door starting at 6:30 pm.

The Weight of Absence, a group work by Megan Piagentini, progresses through two distinct phases. The first situates viewers in a dystopian landscape where faceless, grieving bodies loop through numbing routines, grasping for connection that leaves them unsatisfied. The second part shifts to a more elemental, raw portrayal of humanity. The choreography allows for genuine connections and emotional vulnerability through love, grief, and anger. At its core, the piece is a reminder of shared anatomy and mutual longing to love and be loved.

when the snow melts, a group work by Alyssa Hernandez in collaboration with dancers, explores themes of human nature, survival, and vulnerability. Inspired by time in Vancouver, BC, Hernandez reflects on the periodic wildfires throughout the Canadian Rockies, where wildflowers bloom amid devastation. The resilience in nature becomes a metaphor for human behavior, relationships, and the consequences of our actions, forming a thought-provoking exploration for dancers and audiences alike.

Superposition, a group dance by Audrey DeGuia, explores the intersection of science and spirituality through time, space, and the universe. Inspired by quantum theory and Carl Sagan’s idea that “We are the universe experiencing itself,” the choreography reflects on infinite possibility and interconnectedness. Through stylized movement and interpersonal partner work, the dancers embody the idea that the body is not just moving through space, but is space itself- unfolding and transforming as the dancers move.

GREEN HOUSE, a group work created by Kaitlyn Wilson (in collaboration with dancers), highlights the degradation of human relationship to the environment, leading to the environmental catastrophe we live in today. Interaction between bodies, as well as to the space, investigates how our relationship to nature can be restored to ensure a sustainable and connected future. The performance experience, set to sound design by Luka Pierson, highlights the need to rebuild not only connections to the natural environment but also rebuild community.

After Midnight, a contemporary group dance by Alexandra Baron, delves into the imaginative space that emerges in the stillness of night, where the curiosity of memory, the awakening of imagination, and reality collide. Drawing inspiration from the quiet creativity of late hours, the work weaves together surreal imagery, fluid movement, and striking ensemble dynamics. Baron’s choreography explores remembered moments that resurface within the shadows, blurring lines between reality and reflection.

Reflection Reclaimed, a group work by Olivia Weber, explores the complex relationship dancers have with body image, shaped by years of consistently training in front of the mirror - a tool meant for refinement, but often used for negative self-judgement. The choreography traces the emotional journey from comparison, insecurity, and self-worth to acceptance and empowerment. This dance communicates and reflects on the silent battle dancers face to meet unrealistic standards both inside the dance world and in society.