The stage at Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square is set to come alive with movement and music for the Cleveland State University’s 2026 Spring Dance Concert, happening from Feb. 20-22. Directed by Michelle Ainza, CSU Director of Dance, the concert is a display of students' growth in the creative realms of theatre and dance, as told by Cleveland State University News. CSU students participating in Dance 300: Dance, Repertory and Performance will showcase their hard-earned academic and practical theatre experience to audiences in the greater Cleveland area.
Ainza explains, "Students leave campus and go to a professional setting, with their work viewed by the greater Cleveland area." A shift has been seen in recent years towards an increased emphasis on student choreography, which Ainza celebrates as an opportunity for students "to hone their artistic voices before going out into the world and trying to do it on their own." According to Cleveland State University News, they can also receive independent credit if they choose to choreograph for the show.
Another highlight of the performance, as featured in the university's news report, is a collaboration with CSU’s School of Music, orchestrated by musical director Katalin LaFavre. The concert will premiere student-explored interdisciplinary pieces that combine live music and dance, pushing boundaries on improvisation and structured choreography. LaFavre shared, "That's always fun too, because it's nice to be able to collaborate with other artists. It's also an opportunity to work within the community," as per Cleveland State University News.
The concert is a medley of dance genres, including contemporary, postmodern, hip hop, jazz, ballet, and tap, ensuring that audiences are entertained and engaged with a broad spectrum of artistic expression. "There’s a wide variety of dance forms in this concert," said Ainza, as reported by Cleveland State University News. Student Zachary Thatcher, who is contributing a lyrical solo to the showcase, described his creative process as "reflective and deeply personal," and hopes the audience can relate to the emotion-infused performance.
