An ERS+ dive into Boston Dance Beyond The Surface

Emerson Urban Dance Theatre has a unique ability to turn a show theme into something deeper. I had the opportunity to attend their Thursday’s tech rehearsal, and once again, I was amazed.

The theme, Time and Time Again, is a broad theme, yet extremely powerful. What stood out most was how differently each person interpreted and connected to it. Alexa Ortiz, one of the main curators of this theme, explained, “instead of thinking technological, we think more about culture and ancestry and where we come from. As well as how that makes us who we are and how that will influence who we will be. ”

For some, this show was their final performance and brought back so many memories from their first semester in EUDT. For many seniors, the theme carried a deep sense of nostalgia. When I asked what keeps people coming back to EUDT, one response really stayed with me. “The passion, being immersed in a room full of people who are passionate is one of the best feelings ever,” said Josie Dring, an eighth-semester tap member. “We are 100% student run, and EUDT runs so efficiently because of the love we have for dance.”

For others, the show represented creative exploration and growth. Zyaire Gaddy, assistant Hip Hop Director, drew from his experience during his Harvard residency. Gaddy shared, “I was able to be part of so much Black culture there and meet people who were incredibly inspirational and knowledgeable. They helped guide me into the right mindset.” His piece highlights generational influences while incorporating his own perspective. Gaddy’s choreography reflects the influence of Black dance styles like Jersey Club, as well as the cultural traditions that continue to shape them.

That commitment to honoring the past while creating a space for people to respect all those who have come before them was very evident throughout the rehearsal. As Ashley Maningas put it, “I would not be who I am without my family. I dance for them, and I wanted to make that space for others to understand we are dancing for something much deeper.”

Time and Time Again is more than just the title of a show, it is a reflection of EUDT itself. Choreography isn’t mastered in one night, it is refined again and again. Dance demands discipline, consistency, and showing up even when it’s hard. The beauty of dance is that while a performance may only last a few minutes, its impact lingers far beyond the stage. 

In a city like Boston, where Black and Brown artists continue to create spaces for expression, pieces like Gaddy’s highlight how dance serves as a way to express cultural preservation and innovation. By bridging regional styles, music, and personal experience, performers not only tell their own stories but contribute to maintaining and evolving significant parts of their culture.