MCDE Presents “Encore”
Marist College Dance Ensemble Executive Board. From top left to bottom right, Makenzie Carey, Rachel Elhers, Anna Freeh, Olivia Kick, Jacquelyn Nasiatka, Erin Novobilsky, Lauren Fontana, Sarah Marques, and Emily Alonzo
Marist College Dance Ensemble’s (MCDE) fall showcase “Encore” featured dances choreographed by students in the McCann Recreation Gym on Nov. 11 and 12.
“MCDE is one of the most enjoyable organizations on campus,” said Alyssa Bruno ‘26. “Even with so many members, it feels like a family, and you become so close to the people in your dances.”
The dances for the shows are choreographed by students who teach a variety of styles of dance. Ranging from hip-hop, contemporary and Irish Step, dance students take their specialty and create a dance for students to join.
The fall showcase took place in the recreational gym instead of the McCann Arena because of limited space during basketball season. Despite the smaller space, the show had a strong turnout and went on as usual. Tickets for the show sold out in under 40 minutes, as reported by the Circle.
“Each semester, the president and vice president hold choreographer auditions, where people interested in choreographing show us about 30 seconds of their dance,” said MCDE President Lauren Fontana ‘24. “We take style and level into consideration when choosing, as we need a variety of classes to offer.”
Creating the final product falls on the Executive Board, composed of student volunteers.
“Seeing the dance come together is such a rewarding feeling of seeing something that was in your head come to life,” said Jacquelyn Nasiatka ‘26, MCDE secretary.
In the week leading up to the show, all dancers must be present in the gym to run through the entire show to make any final changes before showtime. The dancers spent countless hours in the studio perfecting their performance for the showcase.
The pressure rose for Fontana and other board members as the fall showcase approached, becoming a juggling act.
The show consisted of two acts divided by a 15-minute intermission. There are 11 dances in the first act and 10 in the second, totaling 21 dances altogether.
“I encourage anyone who is thinking about joining to do it because it truly is some of the most fun I have ever had,” said Bruno.
Fontana has already started to plan for the spring showcase that will take place in late April, but because their new stage has already been purchased, the planning should be smooth for the showcase next semester.