Fusion Dance Company at Brown University

Fusion Dance Company is the oldest student run dance group at Brown University. As the name suggests, Fusion performs a variety of different styles and genre, from modern and contemporary to hip hop. Fusion is entirely student run and choreographed.

Herstory

As the oldest student run dance group at Brown, Fusion is very proud of their story, which they have dubbed their "herstory." In 1983, Paula Franklin, a black woman at Brown, felt the need for more student choreography on campus. That year, she choreographed a piece for the annual Fall Dance Concert, called "Portrait of a Studio." This piece was the precursor to Fusion Dance Company. In the spring semester of the same academic year, auditions were held to form a diverse company of 23 students. Over the past 30 years, Fusion has tried to uphold this tradition as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic group of both men and women who perform a variety of styles and do not conform to modern day constraints on body shape, size, dance style or choreography.

Performances

Each year, Fusion produces one large performance, called the Annual Spring Show, and performs at several smaller gigs around campus. Regardless of the gig, Fusion strives to provide an entertaining performance that covers a range of dance styles, performance quality and emotion.

The Annual Spring Show occurs in early March in Alumnae Hall. On average, 20 pieces are performed, each of them choreographed and set by a member of Fusion. In addition to the choreography, the tech, publicity and show advertisement is all handled by students. The pieces consist of a wide variety of styles, in whatever genre of dance the students decide to choreograph. The shows have been received well by the Brown student body.

There are several official university events that feature performances by Fusion, such as A Day On College Hill (ADOCH), Brown's accepted students weekend in the spring and Live on Lincoln, the fall welcome talent show.

Dance Styles

As the name suggests, Fusion performs a variety of different dance styles. As all of the choreography is done by the student members, the styles of the pieces are determined by what the members choreograph. Styles frequently performed include:

  • Contemporary dance
  • Hip-hop dance
  • Modern dance
  • Lyrical dance
  • Ballet
  • Tap dance