The Meadows School of the Arts, Division of Dance welcomes back students with “Explorations of Heritage,” a thesis concert featuring choreography by Danna Reubin and Marlon Simms. The “Grad Show” runs at 8 p.m. tonight and Thursday in OAC B100. Admission is free.

“Explorations of Heritage” opens with “Yahudit.” Choreographed by Danna Reubin, “Yahudit” is an expressive and dramatic piece about a young woman who makes a pact with God to save the Jewish people from Holofernes, an Assyrian tyrant. Yahudit seduces the tyrant with the help of her maidservant, Abra, and cuts off his head to fulfill her pact.

“Bloodline,” choreographed by Marlon Simms, is a dance inspired by violent gang killings that took place in Jamaica in 2002. The piece begins awkwardly with a man, the symbol of evil, struggling with himself until seven women join his movements and ultimately lead him to his death.

The seven women wear red ribbons tied around various appendages to represent a sense of community and unity. While the dance begins slowly, the music and expressive, harsh movements, lead the piece to a hefty climax.

Reubin’s second piece entitled “Narrow Prison,” asks the question, “Why is homicide bombing considered to be an abomination by some and an act of Martyrdom by others?” Its music, sporadic bursts of strings and bass, accompanied by an outstanding solo, make the piece the most dramatic and heart wrenching of the five works.

Reubin’s third and final piece is “The Nutcracker: Kingdom of Snow.” This elegant display of classical ballet teams together romance and purity. The pas de deux is preserved with classical costumes and a true sense of passion from the dancers.

The final and most animated piece, is Simms’ second work entitled “Homeland.” With vibrant costumes and ethnic music, the work displays an Afro-Caribbean sense of community and family.

This year’s grad show, dramatic and somewhat inspiring, is an excellent display from the graduate students and dancers.