Noon today wraps up the Brown Bag Dance Series by the students of the SMU Division of Dance.

Every day this week at lunchtime, dancers showcased student-choreographed ballet, modern and jazz works.

“It’s just to attract people who maybe wouldn’t typically go to a formal dance production, since it’s casual,” said dancer and SMU freshman Arden Leone.

The Brown Bag Dance Series happens once each semester and takes place in the Bob Hope Theatre Lobby of Meadows. Audience members sit on the floor or stand to watch. The shows are all free and student produced.

“Any dance major or minor can choreograph, and they can audition anyone they want, so we’ve had non-majors come and do smaller parts,” said Abby Marchesseault, a junior who was featured in the performance.

According to Marchesseault rehearsals began over a month ago, and two weeks ago a faculty panel selected the pieces that were featured in this week’s shows.

This semester’s picks included an all-female group decked out in suspenders and fake moustaches, a dramatic duet to Martin Garrix’s “Animals,” and an upbeat, flirtatious number with four female dancers playfully competing for the attention of one lucky guy.

“It’s all student choreographed, so it’s basically up to the discretion of the student, which is cool because it gives a pretty wide variety,“ said Leone.

The student-run nature of the show allows the dancers to get creative and have fun with their choreography. They are also in charge of all costumes, make-up, props and music. Rehearsal commitments are up to the choreographer, but typically groups meet two or three times a week for around two hours.

While juggling rehearsals and performances with preparing for finals surely requires extra time management, the work of the dance department paid off with a beautiful wrap up for the semester.

If
you didn’t make it out to a Brown Bag Series performance yet this semester,
there is one final show Friday at noon.