2025 Fall CSULB Dance in Concert

The CSULB College of the Arts and Department of Dance present CSULB Dance in Concert, November 19-22, 2025. Presenting breathtaking dance creations in contemporary and street dance, ballet and jazz, this concert features original choreography by guest Tashara Gavin-Moorehead and faculty Tsiambwom M. Akuchu & Danzel Thompson-Stout, Rebecca Bryant, Lorin Johnson, Rebecca Lemme and Andrew Vaca.

Tashara Gavin-Moorehead’s Obsidian Universe is a contemporary, science fiction, Black American folktale. The piece follows the journey of eight women brought together by a dream from the spirit of the universe, calling them to reclaim lost principles of humanity such as compassion, kindness, and freedom. They call themselves “The Ravens,” and legend says that when they embark on this journey spirit will reveal itself and ascension for humanity will be possible. The entire Universe and its planets are based in BAMM! Black American music and movement traditions and is a love note to Black American culture.

Street dance faculty Tsiambwom Akuchu and Danzel Thompson-Stout collaborate on an exciting new work of theatrical street dance performance, pulling from and inspired by multiple street styles, including bboy, house dance, hip-hop, popping, strutting, and krump. Thematically centered around the idea of Truth in a digital, internet-informed reality, Akuchu and Thompson-Stout’s new work explores cultural systems and networks, community and individuals, identity, and commodity.

Rebecca Bryant premieres a layered and complex multimedia experimental dancework, the latest in her ongoing collaboration with fiber artist and clothing designer, Jeanne Medina Le. Twelve dancers use real-time video imagery, text, movement, and wearable art to explore and illuminate the unacknowledged and undervalued labor in our lives.

Lorin Johnson’s contemporary ballet Wish moves five dancers through a dynamic abstract landscape, driven by composer Max Judelson’s propulsive electronic cello score. Exploring the power of and human need for “wishing,” images evoking past memory and future longing come to life through pure movement composition.

Rebecca Lemme premieres a collaborative contemporary dance work, shoulder, an exploration of community support, deeply inspired by the ways people come together in times of hardship. It is a meditation on offering, seeking, and accepting care—allowing others to help shoulder the burden. With music by Fred again.. & Brian Eno and Mika Vainio & Ø, the work uses imagery from nature as a lesson in patience—change that manifests profoundly, yet slowly, as if carved over eons by glacial shift.

Professor Andrew Vaca is remounting his 2009 work The Only Dance That Matters (Smash, Clash, and Thrash), a piece inspired by the songs of seminal British punk rock band, The Clash (who dubbed themselves “The Only Band That Matters”). Invoking the non-sentimental, do it yourself ethic of the 1970s punk rock movement, Vaca's dancers are contemporary people who are not afraid to scream in the face of hypocrisy or to chase a loser ex-boyfriend down a dark alley. While not your typical slam-dance, Vaca's piece brings non-stop frustrated energy and more than just a tad of aggression to the stage.

Contact:
Lorin Johnson
Lorin.Johnson@csulb.edu

$15 campus parking is available in CSULB Parking Lot G12, directly in front of the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, via parking kiosk (cards only) and the ParkMobile App.

CSULB Dance in Concert also features the invaluable collaborative efforts of our production team, including: Technical Director Stephanie Losleben; Lighting Designer Stacy Fireheart; Costume Design Supervisor and Shop Manager Kelsey Vidic; Costume Technician Erika Hansen; Technology and Media Advisor Gregory R.R. Crosby; and Music Director Dr. Don Nichols.