On Thursday, December 3, 2015, Kean Dance Theatre (KDT) hosted its Fall Showcase for the Kean community. For two hours, audience members were transfixed by the dancers on stage.

KDT covered all its bases as the music ranged from old school pop to present day hip-hop. There was a little Beyoncé, an entire routine to a Michael Jackson mix and some Bryson Tiller and Adele. As every song came across the sound system, the audience was excited to see how the dancers would perform and adopt the song as their own. Bright lights shined down on the dancers as they made the stage their own, KDT did not disappoint.

Each performance had its own air of distinctiveness as the dancers displayed the emotions of the songs through movement. Audience members were able to feel a connection with the dancers and songs. For Maya Parr, freshman criminal justice major, she her favorite performance was Four Misses.

“The Four Misses one [is my favorite because] the set up was different. Each dancer got to be in the center and dance with the others behind them and it was cool,” Parr said.

Members of KDT performing for the crowd during their Fall Showcase
Amanda Petty l The Cougar's Byte

The showcase is a way for KDT to show the Kean community what its members have been working on all semester long in one performance. The dancers’ dedication was evident and as the night went on, the passion only shined brighter.

“All the dancers are talented and all their hard work showed and they did a great job,” said Krissy Davies, junior communication major.

While all attendees went to the showcase to see what KDT as a whole had to offer, each performer had their groupies in the audience. Audience members such as Kyle Miller, sophomore business major, said they attended the showcase because “I wanted to support my friend.” As their friends took the stage, attendees would scream their name and words of support, encouraging the dancers and amping up the energy in Wilkins Theatre.

A few performances away from the end of the showcase, a somber mood filled Wilkins Theatre. KDT called for a moment of silence for Devon Smith, who was a Kean University student, and Theo Walsh, both who died from a car accident in September. The show continued as dancers took the stage with One Sweet Day by Boys II Men and Mariah Carey in the background as they performed a heartfelt routine dedicated to Smith and Walsh.

Before the curtain closed for the night, KDT executive board members showed their appreciation for all who came out that night. They went on to make an announcement that drummed up excitement among the crowd. KDT plans on hosting two showcases next semester, which means the Fall Showcase was only the beginning of the talent to be seen from KDT.

Performers included: Brielle Allen, Nadia Bangura, Erika Battle, Gabrielle Belfon, Daizha Brown, Khailah Cochran, Tyis Everett, Jazmin Goepfert, Erica King, Lucero Lopez, Chanell Mikell, Kiara Mooring, Kiyah Muid, Na’Shia Orsini, Bre’yanie Pearson, Lisa Pinto, Hana Sabree, Roshorn Shivers Jr., Tanisha Simmons, Nicole Vales and Curtis Warren.

KDT is comprised of students who have a passion for dance. The group gets together every Monday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Harwood Arena room 169.

Dancers perform an aerial air kick for the crowd 
 Amanda Petty l The Cougar's Byte