In a captivating display of movement and emotion, the “Images” dance recital mesmerized audiences last week in the Louis B. Mayer Theatre. The department of theater and dance holds the production annually to showcase a collection of pieces choreographed and performed by students and faculty.

This year's rendition of “Images” held special significance as it paid homage to the senior students who commenced their college journey amidst the challenges of virtual learning. As their undergraduate chapter draws to a close, the recital served as a poignant reflection of their growth and resilience. The performance highlighted the work of the six senior dance majors: Mia Kanter, Amanda Wang, Megan Wiser, Kimber Wood, Sofia Zamora Trigueros and Alexandra Zhu.

“As I look back on the past four years, I can’t help but get emotional thinking about how this is my last ‘Images,’” Mia Kanter said. “The bonds and friendships I’ve built with my peers and professors are what made this journey so exciting, and it will definitely be one of the hardest parts about leaving Santa Clara.”

The recital showcased five faculty pieces that ranged from modern and contemporary to jazz and ballet. The show also included three student works from the production “Gallery,” a student-produced performance that features work from the choreography course offered by the theater and dance department.

“We audition the second week of school, we start rehearsing in September or early October–a few times a week–and we continue until the show in February,” said professor of theater and dance, Karyn Lee Connell.

The recital commenced with “The Moods of The Ocean,” a ballet piece choreographed by Connell. Executed en pointe, gradually transitioning to soft slippers, the piece exuded elegance and precision, exemplified by the dancers' technique. Incorporating jumps, leaps, beats and fast footwork executed with accuracy and lightness, the piece was vibrant and fast-paced. Drenched in blue light and mesmerized by each entrechat, the audience was transported into the barrel of swift roaring waves and soft gentle laps upon the shoreline.

Senior Kimber Wood's composition, "The Human Condition," revitalized the audience with an energetic mashup featuring music from Mac Miller and Disco Lines. This performance not only showcased the students' impressive talents and creativity but also highlighted Wood's technical and choreographic skills as she moved gracefully in sleek black costumes through colorful lighting.

“As a senior double majoring in political science and dance, I was excited for the opportunity to create and choreograph within the arts side of my studies,” Wood said.

The concluding piece brought the show to a climactic close. Choreographed by senior Sofia Zamora Trigueros, “Bohemian Rhapsody: Escape From Reality” was a contemporary-style dance that captured the essence of Queen's iconic song. Dancers gracefully navigated through intricate formations, echoing the song's emotional depth and complexity. The blend of fluid movements and dynamic expressions made this piece pivotal to the show.

“‘Images’ 2024 highlighted the talented faculty and students in the dance program who dedicate countless hours to their technique and performance,” said Wood. “Each piece was unique and the entire show granted the audience an opportunity to feel a variety of emotions, both highs and lows.”

Through their collective efforts, the theater and dance department has concluded another year of “Images,” leaving a lasting impression that lingered long after the final curtain fell.