On April 26, the Brandeis Ballet Club celebrated their 15th year of bringing the art of ballet to the Brandeis community through their annual Spring Showcase. Unlike “The Nutcracker,” a more defined production traditionally performed each winter, the Spring Showcase featured a myriad of original performances choreographed by different students in the club.

The night began with a light and dreamy waltz choreographed by Ballet Club’s Shapiro Campus Center Theater Coordinator Naomi Stephenson ’26. Next came Eliza Bier’s ’26 piece entitled “Passerine.” A stark departure from the more traditional feel of Stephenson’s dance, Bier’s piece was whimsical and energizing. Bier described how the dance was inspired by her relationship with her dancers and friends, and that sense of comradery shone through with each move and sequence. 

The following performance “Rei I.” choreographed by Jean Wong ’27 was a classically haunting dance to the character Rei Ayanami’s theme song from the 1995 anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” Wong set out to capture Rei’s essence, enigmatic and otherworldly, and through her piques and arabesques, she did just that. 

Finally, closing out the first act of the show came Sydney Feld’s ’26 choreography to “Love You for a Long Time” by Maggie Rogers. Each dancer topped with flower crowns and bright smiles, the dance beautifully encapsulated the nature of Rogers’ song, brimming with love and hope. 

Ballet Club Vice President Anna Martin ’26, opened the second act of the show with an exciting combination of theater and ballet. Her piece, “Sunday Morning Ballet Class,” explored the “comical contrast between the strict and precise technique of the art of ballet and the casual environment of a ballet class.” Set to a jazz medley compiled by Martin herself, the performance was a refreshing shift from some of the more traditional pieces performed that evening. Throughout the piece, each dancer rolled up to class — foam rolling, stretching, taking the cursory point 5 photo, with moments of synchronous dancing interspersed. However, the casual vibe dispersed by the end, with all the dancers in their leotards jete-ing in unison and leaving the audience in a fit of applause.  

Following Martin’s performance was “Awakening of Flora,” by Lulu Tsoi ’27. Continuing with the themes of flora and spring, each dancer was adorned with flowers on their skirts and heads. The piece contained multiple dances, celebrating the rebirth of nature in all its stages. 

The final two dances of the night were each choreographed by a Ballet Club senior and co-president. First, Emma Stott ’25 choreographed a jubilant waltz celebrating the onset of spring. Following her beautiful performance, Liliana Aspromonte ’25 choreographed a moving dance to “Is There Something In the Movies?” Her bittersweet and dynamic piece served as a poignant conclusion to the showcase, capturing the uncertainty and hopeful acceptance that often accompanies any heartfelt ending. 


— Editor’s Note: The Justice Senior Editor Anna Martin ’26 is the Vice President of the Ballet club and did not edit or contribute to this story. 

— The Justice Senior Editor Eliza Martin ’26 is the treasuer of the Ballet club and did not edit or contribute to this story. 

— Elizabeth Liu ’26 is a Justice Associate Editor and did not edit or contribute to this story.

— Keira Shear ’28 is an Ads Editor for The Justice and did not edit or contribute to this story.

 —  Miriam Grodin ’27 is a Copy Editor for The Justice and did not edit or contribute to this story.