Spring Dance Concert
April 10, 11, 12, 2026
Crafton-Preyer Theatre, Murphy Hall
KU dancers get their groove on as their talents light up the stage this spring. Faculty choreographers Maya Tillman-Rayton and Claire Buss present a theatrical nod to the 1970's New York City dance scene that includes jazz, hip hop, and disco styles. Michelle Heffner Hayes presents a meditative, rhythmic, contemporary modern work with music composed by Forrest Pierce of the KU School of Music. Students will perform demanding choreography by guest artist Sam McReynolds in a work based on the ethos "People first, dancers second, always equal." McReynolds choreographs in Kansas City and Los Angeles for stage and screen. He dances with the Owen/Cox Dance Company. Select senior work will also be featured.
Produced by Maya Tillman-Rayton
Scenic Design by Kelly Vogel
Costume Design by Kelly Vogel with Logan Fixsen
Lighting Design by Nicholas Sibert
Production Stage Management by Jenna Link
Expedition
Choreography by Mallory Price and Paul Ruf, Jayhawk Tap Co.
Dancers: Caitlin Belmont, Chelsea Brennan, Dinah Criswell, Sofia Dunkelberger, Rania Fuleihan, Jadyn Kaufman, Mallory Price, Paul Ruf, Maggie Schneider, Madi Seelye, Sloane Smith, and Elizabeth Wellman
Liveness
Choreography by Michelle Heffner Hayes
Dancers: Caitlin Belmont, Christian Boudreaux, Abby Boyd, Karli Greder, Anne Hance, Paige Katz, Abigail Lorenz, Emily Mask, Mallory Price, Molly Stover-Brown, and Lizzy Tucker
Ones: 1
Choreography by Sam McReynolds
Dancers: Kaitlin Harris, Sophia Harrison, Kaylee Lempke, Abigail Lorenz, Dylan Pope, Sloane Smith, Maggie Stephan (understudy), Molly Stover-Brown, and Whit Walker
Love Is the Message
Choreography by Claire Buss and Maya Tillman-Rayton
Dancers: Abby Boyd (understudy), Penelope Brown, JT Czoch, Sofia Dunkelberger, Alexandria Escalante, Nicole Fronek, Mia Godinez, Anne Hance, Kaitlin Harris, Keaja Hodge, Jadyn Kaufman, Alexandria Lefler, Kaylee Lempke, Kate Long, Esther McBride, Mallory Price, Madi Seelye, Dana Shamir, Emily Shaw, Quinn Stahly, Sydney Thomann, Joslyn Vetock, Elizabeth Wellman, and Rizzy Xiong