Spring Into Dance is one of my favorite shows at the River Campus every year, so I jumped at the chance to sit in on their final dress rehearsal!  This year’s edition opens with a big, jazzy number, as Southeast Missouri State University students kick, jump and groove to a Big Band Beat while their silhouettes dance behind them on the brightly colored backdrop.  

The show moves quickly to showcase the student dancers in a variety of dance formats.  There’s something for all fans of dance in this show, from a traditional ballet number with lifts, pirouettes and pretty costumes to a funny and sassy tap dancing piece.  

I’ll be the first to admit ignorance in the dance department, and the modern pieces in particular tend to be over my head.  That being said, you can’t overlook the sharply executed movements in quick succession, the sheer talent of the young dancers and how happy they are to be on stage and share what they’ve been working on with you.  Regardless of how in to dance you are, you will enjoy this show.

From the music to the costumes to the talented dancers showcasing their skills, Spring Into Dance is an offbeat way to shake up your night out.  See it at the River Campus starting tonight!  Spring Into Dance runs April 16 – 18 at 7:30 p.m. and April 19 at 2 p.m. 

Thank you to Southeast Missouri State University for inviting me to the dress rehearsal!