Leap into ONU’s Dance 60×60

60 dances. 60 songs. 60 seconds each. Say that six times fast. With over 40 dancers, ONU Dance Company’s performance, Dance 60×60, was nothing short of enthralling. In an age where endless doom scrolling is the standard, this held my attention captive in a constant barrage of dances, uninterrupted by any breaks. 

In its inception, creator of the 60×60 project Robert Voisey sought to feed hungry audiences while simultaneously exposing them to up-and-coming artists through brief, minute-long dances. At the turn of the century, budding artists were eager to spread their music through new technology that was easily portable. Voisey gave them that outlet in the form of 60×60–an innovative event where 60 dances were performed, each in 60 seconds and to a different song. After its release, his project introduced audiences to different forms of dance, in hopes of making foreign forms of dance and music palatable to the uncultured public. 

Speaking as a member of the uncultured public, I found ONU’s production of Dance 60×60 absolutely captivating. Set in the Stambaugh Studio Theatre, the dancers surrounded the audience, offering each viewer a different perspective of the movements. Without the constraints of a stage, the dancers were able to move freely without the threat of falling. This way, the dancers could create an immersive experience where every twist, turn, and leap felt dynamic. The real challenge, however, lay in balancing their energy while simultaneously executing meticulously choreographed routines with precision–not an easy feat when you have a mere 60 seconds to make an impact!

Performances like Dance 60×60 are the culmination of dozens of people’s work–work that’s often invisible to the untrained eye–and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be! Whether it’s behind the scenes or center stage, people like Director Elizabeth Cozad-Howard and student choreographer Katja Roberts work tirelessly to ensure that the show unfolds flawlessly. 

Katja, for example, created a powerful four-movement piece set to Let It Go arranged by The Piano Guys that explored the struggles of addiction and recovery. The piece follows a young woman, played by Emily Springer, who battles addiction, while two “angels” (Emma Kyler and Sophia Turk) attempt to help. Katja originally planned for a traditional stage performance, but the 60×60 format allowed her to present the story in fragments, portraying the nonlinear path to recovery. She explained, “Recovery is rarely a straight path–setbacks and old habits are a natural part of the process.” 

She intentionally wove hidden callbacks throughout the piece, including a poignant “memory” in the final movement that tied back to the opening solo. “Each movement in this piece was intentional,” she noted. “This structure allowed for a more honest and authentic representation of struggle and growth.”

Dance is an artist’s opportunity to express stories, emotions, and ideas through movement. While it can take center stage before an audience, sometimes it’s an intimate and personal expression. Dance 60×60 was ONU Dance Company’s invitation to share this creative journey with the campus. Featuring a variety of genres–from contemporary and jazz to ballet, tap, and hip hop–their performance centered on the exploration of creativity and connection.

Once again, the ONU Dance Company has outdone itself, pushing the boundaries of what we can expect from a live performance. Dance 60×60 was a whirlwind of movement, energy, and creativity that put the incredible talent of the dancers, choreographers, and artists into the spotlight. It aligned perfectly with the goal of Voisey’s project: it was a seamless blend of innovative performance and the power of art to unite and inspire. 

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated (2/18/25 and 2/20/25) to correct a misprinted caption in the slideshow, which initially read “Rachel Chandler, Marissa Litteral, Lindsay Lydy, Tori Kempton,
Molly Moshier, Aubreyonna Rhodes, and Leah Zimmerman Performing in Dance 60×60 (Northern Review/Alison Ringhiser),” to read “Sarah Markey, Kelsey Woodward, Callie Kayea, Holly Purvis, Rachael Chandler, and Leah Zimmerman Performing in Dance 60×60 (Northern Review/Alison Ringhiser).”