SMU Dance major Landes Dixon performing “P-17126” Sunday during the Meadows Dance Department’s Sharp Show. (MICHAEL DANSER/The Daily Campus)

The three performances of the Sharp Show this weekend introduced many people to the expressive and emotional side of dance.

The show, which was called “No Apologies Necessary,” was held in the Sharp Performance Studio, and included 10 pieces. It was choreographed entirely by SMU seniors.

Bo Pressly said the show was a bonding experience for those involved and a great way to the see the passion of the other dancers.

“The best part of the show was seeing the seniors’ visions come to life on stage,” he said. “I am all about the process of how pieces are created, and I was really fascinated at how my choreographers took their initial ideas and stories, and conveyed them through dance, lighting and staging.” 

Many of the pieces choreographed were influenced by events in the dancers’ lives.

SMU senior Morgana Phlaum’s piece “Maybe Love – That I Prefer” was influenced by a poem her grandfather wrote to her in 1993. The piece was dedicated to her mother and late grandfather, and included her sister Marylyse, who recited the poem.

“I wanted to show the audience that when you lose someone close to you, the grief will calm down and there will be a time to celebrate his or her life,” she said.

Kimberly Lyons said the piece “Haunted,” which she choreographed in a week and also danced in, was a place where she could leave the emotions caused by her parent’s divorce and family problems from the last two years behind.

Some dances however, came from a myriad of sources.

Chrysta Norelle Brown said the piece she choreographed, “P-17126,” was named after Psalm 17:1, 2 and 6 from the Bible.

The verse has David asking God to declare him innocent.

“The piece itself is from the point of view of a Death Row Inmate at some point during the last seven days of his life,” Brown said. “He is sitting alone having a conversation with his creator, feeling alone and abandoned, and asking God for some form of rescue before his death.”

The piece was influenced by coursework from two criminal system classes Brown is taking this semester, pictures from Danny Lyon’s book “Conversations With the Dead” and lyrics from Lydia Kapp’s song.

One of the most energetic and expressive pieces “[Photo] [Synthesis],” was choreographed by Kendall Kramer and Marielle Perrault.

The dance featured five dancers, and instead of using a spotlight, the light was let in through little lamps the women were holding. The faster they moved around room the more the light flickered. Juxtaposition of light and dark added to the tone of the piece. Altogether the piece had a very modern, tribal feel to it.

“I remember freshman year, Marielle said that she wanted to do a piece with tap lights. I am so happy that I got to be a part of the fulfillment of that dream,” Kramer said.