Dancers perform during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
On April 4 and 5, the University of Colorado Boulder hosted the semesterly FRESH student dance showcase. Each of the dance pieces is entirely choreographed and performed by students, allowing the dancers to exercise creativity and find their unique styles in a genuine performance atmosphere.
The show took place in CU Boulder’s intimate Acting Studio, a dim room with space for only 40 guests and a shallow floor-level performance space. Audience members were so close to the dancers that they could feel the vibrations from each leap and stomp through the floor; they could hear the performers’ labored breathing during intense sections; they had to tuck their feet under their chairs at times in order to stay out of their way.
Dancers perform during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Devon Beckum, a 21-year-old senior graduating with a BFA in dance, was one of the showcase’s student producers, alongside performing in several group pieces and soloing in her own piece, “Haunted.”
“Due to some scheduling issues – I think the [Charlotte York Irey Theatre] floor’s getting redone – we weren’t able to have FRESH at the same time, so it got cancelled in the spring semester,” Beckum said. “Since our season is the same every time, we’re used to having a certain amount of opportunities and shows. So, as soon as we lost one, it was like, ‘Oh, that kind of sucks.’”
Alyssa Slatky, center, and others perform during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Beckum noted that FRESH is the most accessible show for student choreographers because all of the work submitted to the showcase is typically accepted. So, this cancellation came as a shock to students who had already started to design their pieces.
“It felt really important that everyone still got their opportunity to show work for the spring semester,” Beckum said.
A tap dancer performs the dance “Just Dance” during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Determined to put on a spring showcase anyway, Beckum decided to pitch FRESH to the Theatre and Dance program’s Sandbox Student Series as a part of their season. After a vote, the show was accepted.
“This was the first dance Sandbox show,” Beckum said. “We call it ‘ampersand,’ dance and theatre – I hope it leads to more ampersand.”
Camden Sharkey performs the dane “Disco Confessional” during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Being a part of the Sandbox Student Series meant that the show was not ticketed through CU Presents; instead, it was first-come-first serve. This, combined with the smaller performance space, meant that some guests were turned away at the door before the Saturday show.
“I was being a little bit selfish, because I am a senior,” Beckum said. “I personally had stakes, I was like, ‘I want my senior moment, I want my other seniors to have their moment. I want people to have that opportunity still.’”
Edward Lee, left, and Sawyer Shepardson perform the dance “You Know What” during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Despite the smaller performance space, students got the opportunity to show off their hard work after all. 16 pieces were performed on Friday and 17 on Saturday, involving 37 total student dancers and choreographers.
Sasha Trubitsyna, a 20-year-old junior majoring in applied mathematics, had the idea for her piece, “Pretty Women,” in the fall. Though it didn’t work out in time for last semester’s FRESH showcase, the vision persisted.
“I still had the song in my mind, and I saw all the women I wanted to showcase in my head,” Trubitsyna laughed. “I wanted to show how beautiful we all are, and how much we can have fun.”
Sasha Trubitsyna, left, and Devon Beckum perform the dance “Pretty Women” during Sandbox’s FRESH in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Acting Studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
This time, things worked in her favor – Trubitsyna and five other dancers, dressed in pure white maxi skirts, flowy pants and short dresses, performed her joyful and confident choreography to the song “Oh, Pretty Woman.” The piece was one of several in the showcase where the performers were smiling through the entire song.
“I really love dance, and I definitely can’t get rid of that part of my life,” Trubitsyna said. “With all my friends being in the dance department, I really love being here.”
Contact CU Independent Arts Editor Grace Ptak at grace.ptak@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Visuals Editor Clementine Miller at clementine.miller@colorado.edu.
