Illinois State University’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Film is making history this year as the dance program prepares for its first-ever appearance at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) National College Dance Festival.
Sister Spirit, a piece choreographed by Laina Werner-Powell, an assistant professor of dance and head of the dance program, was selected to close the gala performance at the ACDA North-Central Regional Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in March. Additionally, Sister Spirit was chosen to advance to the ACDA National College Dance Festival in Washington, D.C., which will take place May 2, 2025.
Although Illinois State has advanced to the gala in previous years, this is the first time in university history that representatives from the dance program will attend and perform on the national stage. Werner-Powell expressed the profound joy this historic achievement has brought her and her team of students who have been tirelessly devoted to the piece.
“I was immediately just so proud and ecstatic for my dancers,” Werner-Powell said. “They worked so hard to get to that moment, and it’s one they’ll never forget. They certainly earned it.”
Sister Spirit is a deeply personal work for Werner-Powell. The piece was created in memory of her late cousin, Natalie White, whom she tragically lost a week before the creative process began. The emotional weight of this loss inspired the piece’s thematic exploration of community, resilience, and sisterhood.
“This work became, in ways, my therapy, which makes it that much more special to me,” she said. “It explores the power of community through lived experiences, resilience, and sisterhood through the sharing of lived experiences, ancestry, and investigation of the human condition.”
Adjudicators at the ACDA North-Central Regional Conference commended the work for its “polyrhythmic exploration filled with risk-taking and humanity.” The piece was also lauded for “harnessing the power of individual and collective femininity.” Werner-Powell attributes the standout quality to the dancers’ strong execution and the emotional authenticity of the performance.
Werner-Powell and her cast are now rehearsing weekly in preparation for their national debut. She also spoke about the anticipated audience reception of her piece.
“I hope that the audience takes away the power of individual and collective femininity present in this work,” she said. “I hope that my art both moves and provokes.”
For dancers like Mya Williams, a sophomore dance performance major and a first-timer to the ACDA North-Central Regional Conference, the journey has been nothing short of transformative.
“ACDA was truly a life-changing opportunity. I made so many new connections and tapped into facets of myself that I didn’t know existed,” Williams said. “I came back with a deeper knowledge of myself and how I move, as well as a newfound curiosity for untapped potential within.”
Williams, who will perform at the national conference, expressed joy for the opportunity to bring Sister Spirit to a broader audience.
“Being a part of this creative process has been such a salve to my soul. I’m thrilled that others will get to partake of the fruits of our labor,” Williams said. “More so, I am happy that Laina is getting the flowers she deserves.”
Illinois State University also showcased exceptional student choreography at the ACDA North-Central Regional Conference. Senior dance performance majors Concetta Rolfe and Tava Matesi presented their original pieces. It was Rolfe’s second time performing at the ACDA North-Central Regional Conference. Rolfe’s Altered Perception was performed during the regional conference’s informal concert. The piece examines the theme of inner voices and control.
“What inspired my piece was this idea of someone being controlled and having these voices taking over you and eventually your life,” Rolfe explained. “I had this motif of my hand covering my face and screaming silently, which I think portrayed the piece well and had the audience thinking.”
Matesi’s Cosmic Cataclysm was performed at the regional conference’s adjudication concert. The piece was inspired by cosmic scenes, anti-gravity, and supernovas.
“I loved the idea of imploding and exploding movement as well as cause and effect. As an artist, I am drawn to the natural world and how to express it through movement,” Matesi said. “I aimed to make the piece a celestial experience for the audience, transporting them to another world.”
As Sister Spirit heads to the ACDA National Festival, it carries with it the unwavering support of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film, the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, and the entire Illinois State University community, as it proudly represents the University’s legacy of artistic excellence on one of the nation’s most prestigious stages.
Visit the ACDA website to learn more about the National College Dance Festival. For more information about the dance program at Illinois State University, please visit the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film’s website.
