The power of dance: 2025–26 ASU dance season connects community on and off stage

Dance students in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre, part of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University, will research, choreograph, perform and produce an impressive range of dance performances and events this year. The 2025–26 ASU dance season includes five fully produced stage performances, three community events and two presentations of student works in progress.

“This year, our event locations and stage performances are a testament to student agency and artistic development,” said Keith Thompson, assistant director and acting artistic director for dance. “They feature an impressive range of original choreography by undergraduate seniors and research-intensive thesis projects from our graduate students.”

In the fall, third-year graduate students will present their graduate research projects in Emerging Artists I and Emerging Artists II. The innovative projects represent the students’ research during their time at ASU. The spring includes six “Transitions” performances — the final projects for seniors in the BFA in dance, BFA in dance education and the BA in performance and movement degrees. Each semester, students also perform in works that are still in development, with undergraduate students presenting in the fall and graduate students presenting in the spring.

Community members are invited to campus not only for performances, but also for free community events in the Sol Motion series. 

“Our community event series, Sol Motion, brings together different dance communities across the state,” said Thompson. “The series kicks off in the fall with Sol Power, a weekend-long celebration of hip-hop culture. In the spring, we shift to Sol Rhythmz, which explores the rhythms and traditions of West African and Caribbean dances. We wrap up the series with Latin Sol, a vibrant festival of workshops, performances and social dances celebrating Latin culture.”

The season culminates in Spring Dance Fest, which features the top works by students from the year, in addition to work by guest artists. This year’s performance will include works by guest artists Joan Rodriguez and Akosua Akoto.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our students to work with guest artists, because it gives them an inside look at the creative process,” said David Olarte, clinical assistant professor and rehearsal director for Rodriguez’s work. “It teaches them a little bit about the real world outside the university.”

ASU dance students not only perform in and choreograph every show — as part of the dance program, they also learn how to run backstage elements, assisting with lighting, stage management, sound and tech. Each season provides numerous opportunities for students to be engaged in every aspect of dance and connect to the community.

Audiences can directly support the next generation of artists by attending these performances and events.

“Join us as we celebrate a season defined by artistic innovation, community collaboration and the power of dance,” said Thompson.

Detailed information for all events is available at musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/events.

Emerging Artists I
7:30 p.m., Oct. 17–18
2 p.m., Oct. 19
Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre

Sol Power
Oct. 20–25
Nelson Fine Arts Center

Undergraduate project presentations
7:30 p.m., Nov. 13–14
Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre

Emerging Artists II
7:30 p.m., Nov. 21–22
2 p.m., Nov. 23
Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre

Sol Rhythmz
Feb. 7, 2026
Bulldog Hall

Graduate project presentations
7:30 p.m., Feb. 19–20, 2026
Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre

Transitions I
7:30 p.m., March 20–21, 2026
2 p.m., March 22, 2026
Galvin Playhouse Theatre

Transitions II
7:30 p.m., March 27–28, 2026
2 p.m., March 29, 2026
Galvin Playhouse Theatre

Latin Sol
April 10–12, 2026
Tempe campus

Spring Dance Fest
7:30 p.m., April 24–25
2 p.m., April 26
Galvin Playhouse Theatre