Senior Showcase Spring 2026

SPRING

SENIOR SHOWCASE FEATURED SENIOR CHOREOGRAPHERS Madi Seelye Sloane Smith Joslyn Vetock Elizabeth Wellman Rizzy Rénzy Xiong And special guests UNITY Hip Hop KU Karisma

MAY 2 & 3, 2026 Theatre & Dance

KU Theatre & Dance Land Acknowledgment Translation from Menominee to English The KU Department of Theatre & Dance acknowledges that our performances take place on the ancestral homelands of several Tribal Nations, including the Kansa/Kaw, the Osage. Specifically, the University of Kansas occupies land forcefully ceded in an 1825 treaty with the Kansa/Kaw Nation and a later treaty removing the Delaware/ Lenape people.

This traditional territory was not a single property with border lines but rather maintained by Tribal peoples as traditional stewards, and we recognize an enduring relationship exists tying Tribal peoples to the land. Elements of the land remain embedded into their Tribal identities, culture, and language. The Department emphatically recognizes and supports the sovereignty of the four federally recognized Tribal Nations present in Kansas today: the Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Sac and Fox, and Iowa.

As we gather in this community space, we ask that you all take a moment to give thanks for this day as we celebrate and honor the contribution of this production by the KU Department of Theatre & Dance. We ask that you feel the good energy, passion, and commitment of the students and help us to honor their gifts they will share today. We wish for you to be rejuvenated and take this good energy and find a way to share a little with your community and others. The world needs laughter, music, dance, and the arts–the language of universal love. The land is home to us all. In the name of humanity, we ask for a final moment of reflection as we recognize and honor the past, and most importantly the arts and culture of the original people of this land.

The Department looks forward to future partnerships and collaborations that honor this land acknowledgment. Enjoy the production and safe travels to all.

KU Department of Theatre & Dance Leadership Henry Bial, Department Chair Markus Potter, Artistic Director Maya Tillman-Rayton, Director of Dance Jenna Link, Production Manager Jim Dick, Managing Director

Spring Senior Dance Showcase Sherbon Blackbox Theatre, Robinson Center

Livestreamed May 2, 7 p.m.

May 3, 2 p.m.

It is free to view the livestream at dance.ku.edu.

Senior Showcase is performed with a limited, in-person audience.

Student choreographers present this work in conjunction with KU’s DANC 550: Senior Project course.

Invest in our Shows

Give to the Dance Development Fund

Producing dance both in-person and online with no ticket fees to boot allows us share our art with a larger and more far-flung audience than ever before. While times change, our students have never stopped needing the applause and support of their community as they express themselves through the artform. In lieu of payment of tickets, supporters are encouraged to contribute to the Dance Development Fund, through KU Endowment, to strengthen dance student performance opportunities.

Showcase Production Credits Faculty Producer. Ashley Brittingham Faculty Design Mentor. Ann Sitzman Faculty Stage Management Mentor. Jenna Link Stage Manager. Grace Couldry Assistant Stage Manager. Camryn Purtle Lighting Designer. M Taylor Sound Op. Anthony Jennings III Crew. Casey Schenk, Morgan Tate Streaming Technicians. Sam Angell, Lisa Coble-Krings Graphic Design. Chris Millspaugh Photographer. Luke Jordan

Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project

Joy Intertwining choreographer.

Sloane Smith

music.

Uninhibited created for Joy Intertwining

composer/musicians. Delaney Lim dancers.

Sofia Dunkelberger, Sophia Harrison, Jadyn Kaufman, Abby Lorenz, Madi Seelye, Jillian Taylor

Joy Intertwining examines joy through connection, exploring shared moments that evolve from passion to bittersweet reflection. The work highlights how endings are not final but transformative and how relationships strengthen happiness along the journey.

Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project

No Blueprint choreographer.

Joslyn Vetock

music.

Secret edited by Rizzy Rénzy Xiong

musicians.

Yuval Maayan, Shelly Archer

dancers.

Nicole Fronek, Quinn Stahly, Abby Boyd, Dylan Pope, Rizzy Rénzy Xiong, Mia Godinez, Joslyn Vetock

No Blueprint is a new piece inspired by my experience of learning to trust my own artistic voice instead of changing it to fit others’ expectations or specific roles. It reflects my journey of figuring out and embracing my personal style.

Department of Theatre & Dance Guest Student Clubs

UNITY Hip-Hop Dance Crew music.

American Mastiff

musicians.

Katori Walker & Nyck Caution

dancers.

Dinah Criswell, Jasmine Mamedova, Nicole Ouyang, Griffin Slover, Sammy Song, Bella Winters

{Program Note: KU Karisma follows Madi Seelye’s work, but it will not be livestreamed because of licensing restrictions.

Instead there will be a livestream intermission lasting approximately 5 minutes.}

KU Karisma music.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

musician.

BTS

dancers.

Kalina Blanco, Mackenzie Meier, Libby Petersen, Katie Seminoff, Griffin Slover, Ava Thompson, Bella Winters

Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project

Remnant choreographer.

Madi Seelye

Movement 1: Composed and recorded

by Ryan McCall

Movement 2: Song Title: D 92 8:50 P.M Musicians: Jim Perkins, Leah Kardos Movement 3: Composed and recorded

by Ryan McCall music/musicians.

dancers.

Nicole Fronek–Soloist Sophia Harrison–Soloist

Abby Boyd, Mia Godinez, Dylan Pope, Sloane Smith, Maggie Stephan, Sydney Thomann, Joslyn Vetock, Elizabeth Wellman

Remnant is a dedication to the acknowledgment of one’s selfreflection over time. Inevitably, our future selves will long to preserve the hope we discovered amid past conflicts, even as we realize that some things remain beyond our control. Through movement, dancers express what it means to pause and reflect on your life—identifying which memories you wish to cherish, and which memories continue to influence you, even when you try to let them go.

Special acknowledgment: I would like to give a special thank you to Ryan McCall for composing and recording music for this piece! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project

That Which We Carry choreographer.

Elizabeth Wellman

music/composer.

Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy

musician.

Gregor Quendel

dancers.

Dylan Pope, Madi Seelye, Maggie Stephan, Sofia Dunkelberger, Sophia Harrison

That Which We Carry uses dance to explore the reality of navigating society’s impact on self‑image. Throughout our lives, we wrestle with the tension between who society says we should be and who we want to become. This piece moves through that push and pull, examining external expectations, internal struggle, and ultimately the courage it takes to embrace one’s authentic self.

By shedding these imposed layers, we find the freedom to exist unapologetically.

Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project

Yangtze River choreographer.

Rizzy Rénzy Xiong

music.

Veins of Water Tides & Echoes Huangpu River

composer.

Rizzy Rénzy Xiong

dancers.

Abby Boyd, Audrey Branner, Madison Colley, Nicole Fronek, Mia Godinez, Kaylee Lempke, Kate Long, Dylan Pope, Quinn Stahly, Joslyn Vetock, Rizzy Rénzy Xiong

Yangtze River / 长江 is a dance chapter created on the “vitality of water,” inspired by one of China’s Mother River—the Yangtze, which nurture Chinese civilization and have given rise to the splendid Chinese culture. The work is divided into three pieces, symbolizing the origin of life and spiritual awakening, where small streams merge into a shared source, while also portraying life’s journey through conflict, connection, and growth, ultimately leading to a sense of belonging and the soul’s return within the rhythm of the city. The entire work integrates hip hop, lyrical street dance, and fluid water-inspired movements, combining epic scope with lyricism, presenting the grand imagery of the Yangtze nurturing Chinese civilization.

This piece is the second chapter of the series From Flame to Dust / 自燃至尘 and marks the world premiere of the series. The full series explores the elements “Fire, Water, Mountain, Wind, Dust,” examining the intersection of natural forces and human emotions, and reflects the choreographer’s exploration of the fusion between tradition and modernity, nature and urbanity, history and the present.

Choreographers Bios Sloane Smith

Sloane grew up dancing in Littleton, Colorado, training at Belliston Academy of Ballet through high school. At KU, she has performed with the University Dance Company for six semesters, in KU Theatre’s Pippin, and in numerous student works. Throughout her four years in the Department, Sloane has been able to serve as a social chair and treasurer of the University Dance Company in addition to being a Loren Kennedy Ambassador. This May, Sloane will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.

Madi Seelye

Raised in Lawrence, Madi found her passion for the arts at an early age. She began dancing starting at the age of four and has pursued her love for dance ever since. While in high-school she discovered her love for teaching dance to others as well. At the University of Kansas, Madi has been deeply involved in the Department of Theatre & Dance; she has served as the Vice President and Marketing executive for Alpha Psi Omega as well as the Marketing Chair for the University Dance Company. Madi has performed in theatre productions such as Cabaret and Milking Christmas, University Dance Company concerts, Jayhawk Tap Co., and student short films. Madi will graduate this spring with a BFA in Dance and will continue to pursue working in the arts.

Joslyn Vetock

Joslyn is from Omaha, Nebraska, and will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and minor in Business. She has been dancing since she was just three years old, training in all different styles. After graduation, she plans to move to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a professional dance career. Joslyn thanks her friends and family who have always supported and believed in her and her dreams. “I could not have done it without you all!”

Elizabeth Wellman

Elizabeth is a senior dance student from Lawrence. She always felt she would attend KU, and her past four years here have been an incredible experience. Elizabeth has been involved with numerous University Dance Company shows, KU Theatre Productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, and Pippin, as well as dancing in past Senior Showcases. She also has served as a Loren Kennedy Ambassador for the past two years, served as UDC social chair, and been the Public Relations Coordinator for the KU chapter of Alpha Psi Omega. She would like to thank the faculty and staff who continually challenged her to grow, as well as the friends who made long rehearsal days more enjoyable. After graduation, she will remain in the Kansas City area to continue dancing and pursuing new and exciting opportunities. She also extends a special thanks to her family for their unwavering support and for always cheering her on throughout her dance journey.

Rizzy Rénzy Xiong

Rizzy is an international choreographer and commercial dancer, originally from Shanghai, China, and based in both Los Angeles, California, and the Kansas City area. He began his dance career three years ago and has performed as a backup dancer for several international artists at concerts and music festivals worldwide.

In addition to performing and choreographing, Rizzy teaches at multiple dance studios and is the founder of Rizzset Project, a hip-hop dance organization and fashion brand. Rizzy is a current member of the University Dance Company and he was also the Vice President of UNITY Hip Hop Crew.