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A hush falls as stage lights glow to life, signaling the start of an evening shaped by movement and meaning. In a moment, David Falk Theatre, site of this week’s annual Spring Dance Concert at the University of Tampa, transforms into a site of expression and reflection.

One of the most anticipated performance events of the year, the concert features seven faculty-choreographed pieces performed by UTampa student dancers, all of whom auditioned from across the University’s colleges, regardless of major. The concert offers a range of stories and styles, including contemporary, jazz, ballet and tap, within a single program.

The show’s themes range from self-exploration and shadow work to ancestry, identity, motherhood, anxiety and life transitions. A dance featuring former UTampa dance students, choreographed by Susannah LeMarquand, associate professor of dance and director of the dance program, highlights the lasting connection between graduates and the UTampa dance community.

Connection and legacy also are present elsewhere in the program, notably in a dance called “mitochondrial eve.” This dance, choreographed by Assistant Professor of Dance Amanda Gabaldon, is a contemporary- and ballet-inspired piece influenced by mitochondrial DNA — passed exclusively from mother to child, Gabaldon said. The work traces women across time, exploring how generations are biologically and emotionally connected.

“I want audiences to walk away thinking about the people who came before them,” Gabaldon said. “What were their stories, and how are they informing who you are today?”

Performed by a cast of 15 women, “mitochondrial eve” blends scientific inspiration with mythological and contemporary imagery. Figures of influential women from Greek mythology and the modern world echo through the movement.

Student dancer and allied health major Ayla Grodan ’27 described “mitochondrial eve” as a reflection of women’s perseverance across generations. She explained that the choreography focuses on exchange and continuity, showing how women remain connected to one another over time, even as they change.

“Throughout the piece, you see different interactions that represent unity and shared experience,” Grodan said. “It’s about how women evolve but stay rooted in the same foundation.”

The dancers’ costumes play a central role, beginning with a neutral base and transitioning to different garments that symbolize the many roles women have held across history.

For Angel Burrell ’29, a musical theatre major, the piece’s power lies in its inclusivity. “Women come in all shapes, colors, sizes and personalities,” Burrell said. “We worked together with our choreographer to create something that reflects womanhood in all of its forms.”

Throughout all the pieces, the Spring Dance Concert reflects the collaborative spirit of UTampa’s dance program. Students work closely with faculty — many of whom are active dance professionals — gaining insight into the creative processes and expectations of the professional dance world.

The Spring Dance Concert continues tonight and tomorrow in the David Falk Theatre, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., with performances on Friday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Each showing is free and open to the public and offers another chance to experience how movement can carry history, identity and connection.