Week #8 A Little Light

Due to recent events, there had been a lot of tension on campus. As a response to this, one of the second year graduate students organized an "improv jam" for everyone in the dance department. This was a time for all to put aside their judgements, negativity, and feelings of hopelessness, and engage in the art of dance; something fruitful and positive. The student leading the improv jam turned off all the lights in the dance studio, and hung strings of Christmas lights in the space. The music being played was a variety ranging from soft and subdued instrumental, to songs with lyrics carrying hopeful messages. The group that gathered to take part in the jam were undergraduate students, graduate students, and even a mother and her child. The sentiment of the evening was beautiful, and the minimal lighting of the space enhanced that beauty. The silhouettes of the dancers in the room were clear enough to see their shape, but left left each individual with a sense of anonymity, and therefore a sense of freedom to express themselves while dancing. Each dancer had the option to dance in the shadows, barely able to be seen, or assert themselves closer to the light, bravely revealing their faces. Everyone in the room was moved, some to tears. The message of the evening was that hope and light will inevitably shine through, even in the darkest of times. This inspiring message was reflected in the lighting of the room.