An audience that nearly filled Paul Robeson Cultural Center's Heritage Hall witnessed dancers become human stairs as traditional ballet blended with contemporary dance this weekend.
This was just one movement performed by members of Volé at its semester show Sunday. The show, titled "A Night at the Movies," featured 17 songs from popular movie soundtracks.
Shawna Hixson said she was glad the club performed popular songs everyone in the audience knew.
"They were songs you could relate to and clap your hands to," Hixson (sophomore-elementary education) said.
Dancers incorporated contemporary dance with traditional ballet to songs from a wide variety of films, including "The Sound of Music," "Austin Powers," "The Boondock Saints" and "Twilight."
During the dance to "Eyes on Fire" from "Twilight," several dancers formed a set of steps with their bodies for another dancer to run up. Upon reaching the top, one dancer supported her as she glided back down to the stage.
"There are shows we do that are more strictly ballet to get back to our roots," Volé President Meredith Bouvier said. "But we also do some broad themes to include more contemporary styles."
Bouvier (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said modern themes and styles are easier for the audience to relate to.
Hixson said the most enjoyable parts of the show were the slow songs.
"I like how intricate their moves are, how flowing they are," she said. "It's a different aspect of dance."
Hixson's favorite songs were "Maestro" from "The Holiday" and "Colorblind" from "Cruel Intentions." She liked that the black-and-white leotards worn by the dancers in "Colorblind" reflected the song.
Audience members also enjoyed a guest performance from the men's club lacrosse team, which included a feature dance to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" that elicited laughs and hoots from the audience.
The two clubs were Homecoming partners, Bouvier said, and Volé has hosted the men's club lacrosse team in its semester shows for years.
Overall, Bouvier was very happy about how the show turned out.
"All the girls seemed like they were having fun," she said. "When it comes down to it, that's all that matters."
