The Evolution Dance Company packed the Broome County Forum Theatre this past Saturday with an unforgettable spring showcase titled “Limitless” that highlighted the diversity of its team and techniques. This year, the showcase boasted four guest groups, including Collision, Paradox, MODA and Tap That — talented dance groups who offer unique takes on popular genres.

The event started around 2 p.m. and began with a quick introduction from three E-Board members, who made their way to the apron of the stage and stood in an orderly formation near the curtains, smiling with anticipation. As the members went onto the stage, the atmosphere quickly shifted to one of excitement and engagement as attendees settled in. The room buzzed with suspense for the activities ahead, setting the tone for a lively and fun event.

Katherine Peters, the organization’s president and a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, Veronica Raffaele, the vice president and a junior double-majoring in philosophy, politics and law and Spanish, and Elise Frenyea, the treasurer and a junior majoring in psychology, welcomed the audience and kicked off the showcase. The applause then went quiet, the lights dimmed and the first act began.

Dressed in sleek pink costumes, the dancers took the stage with fierce confidence and fluid grace, starting the show with a bold attitude.

Blending modern dance with hints of vogue-like movement and contemporary flair, their dance was marked by striking flexibility and seamless transitions that pulsed with the beat of the song. Partner work showcased not just physical strength but emotional support, echoing themes of unity and empowerment. The performance radiated pride, resilience and self-celebration, turning the stage into a space of unapologetic expression.

The first act featured a dynamic lineup of 15 performances, showcasing a diverse range of styles including ballet, hip-hop and contemporary dance. Among the standout pieces was Yulia Garaeva’s powerful interpretation of “Army Dreamers,” which left a lasting impression with its emotional depth and precise choreography.

“For my solo ‘Army Dreamers,’ I took inspiration from my own personal grief and deep conflicts in life,” Garaeva, a ballet III choreographer and a senior majoring in sociology, wrote in an email. “I wanted to showcase vulnerable components of real life that people could connect to and feel along with me. Evolution Dance Company has given me the opportunity to perform such aspects of my life and provide a stage and audience to share my choreography with.”

“The arts are so important in navigating difficult concepts such as grief, loss, and tragedy; EDC allows full liberty for their choreographers to express themselves and tell a story that is close and dear to them and to many people in the audience,” she added.

Following Garaeva’s emotional solo, the showcase continued with a vibrant mix of performances that kept the energy high and the audience engaged.

MODA brought dynamic movement and swagger to the stage with a high-energy hip-hop routine, while Tap That delivered a synchronized tap performance full of rhythm and charisma. Paradox entered the scene with a captivating blend of K-pop and hip-hop influences, combining sharp formations, expressive gestures, bucket hats and a powerful stage presence. Each group brought its own distinct style, adding depth and variety to Act I.

Act I concluded with a striking piece choreographed by Anjali Durjan, set to a medley of Kendrick Lamar’s “United in Grief” and Childish Gambino’s “Me and Your Mama.” Rooted in contemporary and modern dance styles, the performance channeled raw emotion and intensity. Dancers wore messy T-shirts, with smudged black makeup and eyeshadow that amplified the chaotic, expressive energy of the piece.

The performance had character and emotion, and it completely enraptured the audience as cheers and name-dropping filled the room.

The dancers’ movements were sharp and unpredictable — at times furious, at times still — with moments where they collapsed to the floor or laid down completely, embodying themes of exhaustion, rage and release. Jazz hands appeared unexpectedly, adding an unsettling edge to the choreography. As the performance drew to a close, the dancers slow-walked offstage, their backs to the audience, as the music and lighting gradually faded into silence.

“The vision for this semester’s showcase, specifically in my own dance, ‘United in Grief,’ was to introduce a piece that was different to EDC,” Durjan, a modern III choreographer and a junior majoring in art history, wrote in an email. “While this being my first time choreographing for Modern 3, I wanted to bring my different dance interpretations and techniques to the club. I wanted to create a piece where we all embodied a crazy and unique character. A character with ups and downs and I believe we accomplished that. I wanted to challenge everyone to reach their full and ‘limitless’ potential, hence the show title name.”

Several dancers remarked on how much they would miss the graduating members, expressing deep appreciation for their leadership, friendship and the impact they had on the group’s community and spirit.

During intermission, Jennie Po, a sophomore majoring in nursing, shared her gratitude for the spring showcase, where she performed with MODA and her EDC team.

“I met so many friends,” Po said. “They supported me, especially when I was on MODA, and then they saw me perform, and they congratulated me afterward. It’s so rewarding.”

After a brief intermission, everyone went back to their seats, and the lights dimmed once more. Act II began, introducing a fresh wave of 16 performances that carried the momentum forward with renewed energy and passion.

Raffaele choreographed a solo performance for herself that was both dramatic and emotionally charged. Her movements were expressive and deliberate — falling gracefully, flipping with ease and maintaining a strong sense of composure and focus throughout the entire piece.

Raffaele, who will be graduating a year early, admitted to feeling bittersweet in the days leading up to the showcase, knowing it would be one of her final performances with the group.

“I’m most excited to perform one last time with all of my favorite people,” Raffaele wrote in an email. “Watching everyone’s hard work over the past year — from weekly rehearsals and full company run-throughs to social events and late-night dinners — come together on stage is so rewarding. Showcase day always has a special kind of energy: a mix of excitement, nerves, and bittersweet emotions as everything wraps up. I’ll truly miss everything about EDC, but especially the incredible people I’ve met along the way.”

Act II ended with two climactic performances titled “Drake vs. Kendrick” and “Gaga,” which included the entire EDC E-Board. In the former, the dancers were split into two groups — one half was dressed in red track pants and the other dressed in blue — visually representing the contrast between the two artists through a dynamic hip-hop routine.

“Gaga” followed with a modern piece that featured expressive movement, glittering costumes and a standout moment where one dancer was lifted, adding a sense of elevation and theatricality to the performance.

The night came to a heartfelt close as all the dance groups gathered on stage for a final bow. Graduating members were honored with roses, a touching gesture that celebrated their contributions and marked the end of their journey with the team.

Peters described EDC’s bright future.

“This show is 10 years of EDC and we have incorporated some components to give thanks to our past,” Peters wrote in an email. “We appreciate how far we have come and what those before us have done to help foster an environment full of creativity and connection. We want to show that the possibilities are ‘limitless’ for the future of EDC.”