The 2024 Princeton Dance Festival features new and repertory works by nationally and internationally recognized choreographers, performed by 49 Princeton students in an energetic program of dances from a surprising range of dance forms. The work in the Festival includes a new hip-hop work by Rennie Harris, a new contemporary dance-theater work by Raja Feather Kelly, a new contemporary work by Rebecca Lazier, a new ballet work by Matthew Neenan, an excerpt from Stephen Petronio’s Lareigne (1995) staged by Davalois Fearon, and a restaged excerpt of Ripple, a 2021 contemporary work rooted in Chinese classical and folk dance by Yue Yin.
View the playbill for Princeton Dance Festival
Content Advisory: Profanity is used in Raja Feather Kelly’s piece, which is the first piece after intermission. The production also uses theatrical haze.
Trailer: 2024 Princeton Dance Festival
The cast includes senior dancers Adam Littman Davis ’25, Cassie Eng ’25, Clara Toujas ’25, Ethan Arrington ’25, Faith Wangermann ’25, Jad Bendarkawi ’25, Kate Stewart ’25, Mirabelle Weinbach ’25, Moses Abrahamson ’25, Paige Sherman ’25, Sabrina Niccacio Gomes ’25, Sophie Main ’25, and Tierra Lewis ’25. Junior dancers in the cast include Blaise Stone ’26, Braeh Simon ’26, Charles Yu ’26, Derek Geng ’26, Enzo Miguel Kho ’26, Helena Richardson ’26, Jessica Waters ’26, Keilly Ponce-Merida ’26, Madalyn Mejia ’26, Makenzie Hymes ’26, Maya Sessions ’26, Olivia Kasule ’26, Olivia Roslansky ’26, Olivia Taylor ’26, and Pippa LaMacchia ’26. Sophomore dancers include Gayoung Choi ’27, Gisele Sonnier ’27, Jenna Kim ’27, Lori Gallo ’28, Madeline Rohde ’27, Mia Jolly ’27, Rachel Jack ’27, Sophie Feinblatt ’27, and Sofia Rodrigues-Tucker ’27. Bebe Cassidy ’28, Cici Yu ’28, Imogene Elias ’28, Livia Shneider ’28, Lucy Carlin ’28, Renata Suarez ’28, and Tobias Seabold ’28 are among the first-year student dancers. Graduate students Alex Sanchez G1, Christine Blackshaw G4, and Hannah Hunter G1 are also in the cast.
Photo Highlights
Princeton students perform Matthew Neenan's Remember 24. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform Matthew Neenan's Remember 24. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform Raja Feather Kelly's The Absolute Future. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform Raja Feather Kelly's The Absolute Future. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform a restaged excerpt of Ripple by Yue Yin. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform a restaged excerpt of Ripple by Yue Yin. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform the Rebecca Lazier choreographed Blink. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform the Rebecca Lazier choreographed Blink. Photo by Larry Levanti
Princeton students perform Rennie Harris’s new Give Us Free. Photo by Larry Levanti
Relaxed Performance
A Relaxed Performance will be offered on November 24 at 2 p.m. Learn more about the Relaxed Performance
Tickets & Details
All Princeton Dance Festival performances are open to the public. Tickets required.
Tickets:
- $20 general
- $10 students (any institution)
- no additional fees
- Tickets are Passport to the Arts eligible for Princeton students
Buy tickets through McCarter Box Office
Directions
Get directions to Berlind Theatre, located at 91 University Place in Princeton, and find other venue information for McCarter Theatre Center.
Accessibility
Berlind Theatre is an accessible venue with wheelchair and companion seating available. An assistive listening system is available and headphones can be requested from ushers. The performance on Friday, November 22, at 8 p.m. will be live/open-captioned. The show on Sunday, November 24, at 2 p.m. is a relaxed performance. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various locations, including Berlind Theatre. Attendees in need of other access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
The Princeton Accessibility Guides provide detailed access information for campus buildings. Review the Berlind Theatre access guide
Relaxed Performance Information
November 24 at 2 p.m. will be a Relaxed Performance
Relaxed Performances ease typical theater requirements and welcome audience members to be comfortable and to move or vocalize freely, without judgment or inhibition.
You will be attending an evening of contemporary dance featuring six dance works, each approximately 10 minutes long. The dances are created by nationally and internationally recognized choreographers and performed by Princeton University students. The program includes hip-hop, dance-theater, ballet, and other contemporary works.
A couple of days before the performance, you will receive an email from McCarter box office reminding audiences of what they can expect when attending the Relaxed Performance.
What to Expect at a Relaxed Performance
What to expect when attending the relaxed performance of Princeton Dance Festival:
- House lights will remain on at a low level in the theater during the performance
- Details of the sound levels and information about any loud or startling sounds will be shared before the performance begins
- No startling or strobe lighting
- Freedom to talk, vocalize, and leave seats during the performance as needed
- Space available throughout the theater and lobby for standing and movement
- Necessary communication devices are permitted; prohibitions against phone use, photographing, or recording the performance remain
Content Advisory
- The dance works to be presented at the Princeton Dance Festival are generally suitable for all ages.
- Profanity is used in Raja Feather Kelly’s piece, which is the first piece after intermission.
- The production uses theatrical haze.
At the Event
- The theater lobby will open at 1:00 p.m. and the house/theater space will open at 1:30 p.m. and you are welcome to arrive early to locate your seats
- The event will be approximately 90 minutes long with a 15-minute intermission about midway through the performance
- We invite you to bring noise-canceling headphones, fidget/handheld manipulatives and stress sensory toys, sunglasses, ear plugs, and anything else you may need to ensure maximum comfort and safety. Some fidget and handheld manipulatives will be available to borrow
- Volunteers with identifying t-shirts will be on hand to assist
- Restrooms will accommodate all family members and/or caregivers regardless of gender
- There will be two lounge areas provided for breaks throughout the performance
- Clear signage will direct guests to all key locations
- Concessions stand will be open throughout the event
View images of the theater exterior and interior spaces
Questions
If you have questions about the relaxed performance or would like to bring a group to the show on November 24, please email Marion Young at youngmf@princeton.edu.
