Yale Daily News

Yaledancers’ fall show, “After Dark” will debut this Thursday, marking the first time the company has performed for a full audience since before the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

The oldest dance company at Yale, YD features a wide variety of dance styles, including classical and modern ballet, jazz, hip hop and modern. “After Dark” will run from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5 at the ECA Theater on Audubon Street, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and lasting approximately one and a half hours. 

“We are hoping that it will be a packed house,” said YD treasurer Colby Bladow ’24. “We have six new members of the company, and they are all incredible with their own styles that they’ll be bringing. The six taps have their own piece they’ll be choreographing, so that will be fun.” 

Bladow emphasized the diversity across styles and music featured in the show, adding that there is something for everyone — be it a slow lyrical piece, a ballet piece or a fast-paced jazz dance. 

All the pieces are student choreographed, and include the music of Amber Run, Adele, Stevie Nicks and Miley Cyrus. 

“At the beginning of each semester, anyone who is a member of the YD can propose a piece that they’re interested in choreographing to the entire company, and we’ll decide what they want to do,” Publicity Chair Santana Vannarath ’24 said, explaining the company’s process of choosing music and dance styles for this show. “So basically it’s a collage of different things everyone wanted to do.” 

The overall tone of the pieces will tie back to the central theme of “After Dark,” in keeping with YD tradition of framing the show’s theme around the final dance in its program. Debuting the weekend after Halloween, the show is “a little sexy, a little spooky, and gives this fun, youthful night time energy,” according to YD Publicity Chair Molly Smith ’25.  

“‘After Dark’ is about creating the aesthetic of a fun, youthful vibe,” Publicity Chair Molly Smith ’25 told the News. ”That’s the energy of our company.” 

Smith described YD as the “highest caliber of dance” available at the University, emphasizing the company’s high level of athleticism and artistic ability. 

Bladow, too, told the News that the show would be a tribute to the company’s appreciation for dance and art. 

She wants people to come away from the show feeling inspired, having had fun and having enjoyed seeing their performance. 

“We work very, very hard and have been practicing the pieces since early September,” Smith added. “I’m really proud of what we’ve created.”

Tickets for the fall show cost $10 and are available online.