Movement, light and music filled the University of Georgia Dance Theatre on Friday, Nov. 14 as the UGA Department of Dance presented “Patchwork,” its end-of-semester concert, a showcase built entirely from student choreography. Friends, classmates and families settled into their seats early, the room buzzing with the kind of excitement that comes from knowing each piece represents months of student-driven creativity.
From the night’s opening moments, “Patchwork” established itself as a celebration of variety, hence the name. Ballet works flowed into rhythmic ensemble pieces while lyrical choreography shared the stage with improvisation-driven structures.
Scenes from the UGA Department of Dance’s “Patchwork” Student Choreography Concert at UGA’s Dance Theatre in Athens, Georgia, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo/Rosalie Owusu)
Some pieces turned inward, exploring emotional transitions, while others embraced athleticism and ensemble precision. No two sections looked alike- and that contrast was precisely the point.
Katherine Stockton and Calista Honick, both senior dancers at UGA showcased their senior exit projects during the performance, emphasizing that the diversity seen onstage reflects the individuality of the students behind the work.
“Each student had a different goal or inspiration behind their piece,” Stockton said. “Every single piece has a different meaning behind it, depending on each student’s vision.”
Honick added that “Patchwork” highlights personality as much as technique.
“Everyone’s personal style and the dance style they love is what they choreographed,” Honick said. “It’s really cool to see that on our friends and see everyone exploring and collaborating within our community.”
Scenes from the UGA Department of Dance’s “Patchwork” Student Choreography Concert at UGA’s Dance Theatre in Athens, Georgia, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo/Rosalie Owusu)
The sense of community carried through the entire concert. Whether dancers appeared as choreographers, cast members or collaborators, the show emphasized shared creativity. Many pieces incorporated improvisation, group experimentation or motifs developed collectively in rehearsals; a process that brought dancers closer both artistically and personally.
Lighting transitions, costume choices and carefully timed musical cues added depth to the movement onstage, showcasing the behind-the-scenes work. In several pieces, lighting shifts signaled emotional turning points, while costumes amplified themes of contrast, unity of transformation. Seen together, these elements helped bring all the elements into a show built intentionally from widely varied parts.
While “Patchwork” featured choreography from sophomores to seniors, the senior exit projects were an important step in the choreography journey. Stockton’s piece, “Grip of Surrender,” used a formation motif to tie together three song sections, offering an exploration of reflection and release.
Scenes from the UGA Department of Dance’s “Patchwork” Student Choreography Concert at UGA’s Dance Theatre in Athens, Georgia, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo/Rosalie Owusu)
Honick’s “Wallow” blended improvisation with set choreography, resulting in a piece that transformed rehearsal to rehearsal before reaching its final form onstage. Though distinct in approach, both pieces fit seamlessly into the evening’s commitment to artistic range.
The variety was not only intentional but carefully curated. Audience members moved from soft, emotionally charged small group pieces to larger-cast pieces pulsing with rhythm. Some choreographers leaned into narrative structures, while others chose abstraction, creating pieces that invited open interpretation. The concert’s pacing allowed the room to shift moods, giving viewers the space to breathe, reflect and re-engage with each new work.
Scenes from the UGA Department of Dance’s “Patchwork” Student Choreography Concert at UGA’s Dance Theatre in Athens, Georgia, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo/Rosalie Owusu)
For many dancers, the most meaningful part of “Patchwork” was the process behind it.
“The most rewarding part was creating such a long piece for the first time and still feeling genuinely proud of every section,” Stockton said. “And once you add the lighting, the costumes and everyone performing from the bottom of their heart — that’s the best part.”
“Dance has so much to offer, and I hope people gained something from seeing the variety in this show,” Honick said. “Even walking away with new questions or challenging what they thought they knew about dance- that’s what makes concerts like this meaningful.”
As the final piece closed and the dancers took their bow, the audience applauded not just individual performers but the collective effort that made the show possible. Whether viewers arrived knowing little about dance or came with dance experience of their own, “Patchwork” offered something new to appreciate.
