‘EXception’: Expressions Dance Company’s Spring Showcase Celebrates Standing Out

Underneath the lights of Lowell Lecture Hall on March 27, the Expressions Dance Company presented the Harvard community and beyond with an energetic evening full of attitude and confidence. This year’s showcase — titled “EXception” — centered around the theme of being different, encouraging a celebration of being unique and unapologetically confident in oneself.

Right from the start, emcees Laura P. Cremer ’29 and Yassin T. Mohamedy ’29 drew peals of laughter from the audience with their lighthearted banter full of Harvard-related jokes. The high spirits from their introduction blended seamlessly into their first performance of the evening: “Out The Way.”

Choreographed by Executive Director Amaya L. Butler ’27, a trio of dancers opened the showcase with a high-energy hip-hop piece full of boldness and conviction. The pulsing bass blasting from the lecture hall’s speakers was perfectly complimented by each dancer’s strut and swagger. Paired with beaming smiles, an effortless smooth flow between musical segments, and ending with an impressive flip sequence, “Out The Way” set the tone for an evening full of fun and exhilaration.

On the heels of the opening energy, the next performance “Stateside” drew inspiration from the U.S. Olympic champion figure skater Alysa Liu’s recent program. The trio of Matthew A. Cusson ’28, Amy G. Morrissey ’28, and Lara A. Tureli ’28 moved with an enchanting mix of coyness and high spirits to the Billboard No. 1 hit by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson. With street-style outfits in fun light green and yellow, the routine successfully captured the playfulness of performing with each wave and shrug.

“resurrEXtion” opened with an infectious burst of hype energy, pulling audiences into a playful world of “live fast, die young.” With new choreography from Expressions Dance Company alum Y. G. Ohashi ’21, movements blended with precision and freedom. Dancers in sunglasses and track pants brought a confident and almost cheeky presence to the stage, creating a dynamic ebb and flow as the dancers congregated and dispersed into various formations. In particular, performer Alexa C. Shumway ’26 stood out with her exceptional control and striking flexibility.

Next, “Borderline” radiated confidence from the moment the dancers appeared in vibrant pink, leaning fully into a bold and unapologetic energy. Strong facial expressions and sharp musicality gave the piece a commanding presence, while playful lighting choices elevated key moments. Cusson was especially charismatic, with skillful movements and a charm to match.

Choreographed by a dance crew from the Harvard Medical School, “Exposure” offered a compelling contrast with its red-and-black aesthetic and storytelling focus on movement as medicine. The choreography highlighted synchronicity and cohesion, with expressive details such as movements intensifying alongside the music adding charm. By the final moments, the piece reached a powerful, satisfying crescendo, underscoring its celebration of passion and strength.

Perhaps a highlight of the evening was the tap-dance duet “At the Same Damn Time” between Butler and Morrissey. The performance was a unique surprise, truly embodying the spirit of being the exception. As the rhythmic taps and clicks filled the lecture hall, the upbeat energy from the two dancers was contagious. The choreography alternated between synchronized movements and rhythmic banter from the sounds of each dancer’s tap shoes. A tap sequence by Butler would yield a click response from Morrissey, flawlessly following the beats of the background music “Same Damn Time” by Future and even simultaneously mouthing the lyrics.

During the intermission, a lucky group of attendees were invited to come onto the stage and participate in an impromptu dance contest culminating in the opportunity to win an El Jefe’s gift card. As a fun way to break up the evening full of performances, this segue stood as a further testament to the showcase’s highlighted theme of individuality.

Finally, as the centerpiece of the showcase, the last performance intended to display a short and sweet excerpt from EXP, the Expressions Dance Company’s competitive and performance subset. With a staggered introduction, the choreography by Ronni R. Fleming ’28 and Anneliese S. Mattox ’28 allowed dancers to bring on a series of entrancing juxtapositions. Movements contrasted sultry playfulness with high-energy hype, transitioning seamlessly from quick to slow pacing. Fun and dynamic facial expressions from Cruz G. Allison ’28 and Harvard Medical School Master’s student Irith M. Katiyar, alongside virtuosic movements, added all the more to the performance’s charm.

“EXception” successfully proved to its audiences the power of standing out through its talented dancers, polished choreography, and ecstatic stage presence. The Expressions Dance Company’s spring showcase was a delight to watch and truly a celebration of not only unique talent at Harvard, but also the impact of dance as an art form.