Fusion Dance Company, Brown’s oldest student-run dance group, put on their 40th annual spring show “Mirage” this past weekend. In a packed auditorium in Alumnae Hall, the group’s 21 members showcased their expertise in a diverse range of dance styles — including contemporary, jazz and hip-hop — by performing original choreographed and arranged pieces.
Serving as a send-off for the company’s graduating seniors, “Mirage” opened with an emotion-charged performance to “Let Go” by Frou Frou, followed by a welcome speech by members Mia Koenig and Mia-Nathalie Pridgen ’26.
Koenig shared Fusion’s “herstory” — tracing back the company’s roots back to Paula Franklin ’87 and her 1983 performance of an original choreographed piece. Since its founding, Fusion has “strived to uphold (its) tradition of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic group of dancers” with no constraints on “body shape, size … or choreography,” Koenig said.
Before the show started, Koenig and Pridgen encouraged audience members to convey their support vocally, telling them that Fusion’s dancers “feed off of your energy.”
“The louder you cheer,” Koenig said, “the better (we) dance.”
The performance showcased a variety of dance styles and music selections that conveyed a wide range of tones and emotions. Vibrant lighting choices conveyed transitions in moods and themes, from fierce reds to more mellow greens and blues.
The show highlighted the company’s camaraderie through a cohesive outfit color palette and combinations that underlined movements like assembled lines, linked arms and embraces. But dancers were also able to display their individual talents through the many solo and duet moments within each piece.
“Mirage” included a collaboration piece with IMPULSE Dance Company: “it is a love story baby just say yes,” choreographed by Ming-May Hu ’23. Illuminated by hot pink stage lights, members of Fusion and IMPULSE joined for a dance-off style performance, with each group’s respective styles complementing the other’s.
The show also featured two interludes where several Fusion members recreated well-known dance numbers from Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII halftime show performance and the “Jingle Bell Rock” scene from “Mean Girls.” “Mirage” concluded with a collective piece choreographed by Fusion’s graduating seniors.
Preparation for the show began in the fall and carried over into the spring, according to Company Manager Caitlin Carty ’23. Carty added that the performance’s tech week went surprisingly well, with “everyone pulling their weight” and the company being “early on schedule.”
Joyce Li ’25, co-technical manager of the company, said that despite the challenges of responsibilities such as setting up lights and speakers, “it was a fun experience to see everyone be on stage together.”
Li added that she hopes the show will allow University community members to “start recognizing Fusion more” and appreciate the group’s wide-ranging talents.
Audience members were eager to show their support for the company. Lizbeth Ruiz ’26 particularly enjoyed the amount of creativity and diversity of dance styles showcased within the pieces.
“I’ve been really enjoying seeing their individual choreography styles, and all the choices they made with costume and lighting come together,” Addie Allen ’25 said.
“It’s super cool and inspiring to know that it's all student-led and that they all choreograph their own pieces,” said Alicia Joo ’26, who previously took promotional photos for Fusion. ”You can really see (their) cohesion and cooperation. … (It's) nice to see how well they work together and how talented they all are.”
After the show, Carty said that Fusion plans to prepare for a dance showcase during A Day On College Hill in April and the Baccalaureate ceremony for Commencement.
“Everyone has put so much effort and time into Fusion this year,” Carty said, adding that she is “really excited for (Fusion) to be able to show that to the people they care about.”
Correction: A previous version of this story did not include Joyce Li's first name or role at Fusion Dance Company. The Herald regrets the error.
Isabel Hahn is an Arts & Culture editor who concentrates in English and Behavioral Decision Sciences. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, and journaling.
