The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Dance at Princeton University presents Mesh, an evening of two distinctive dance works by Princeton seniors Clara Toujas and Faith Wangermann that explore the dynamics of belonging. Performances are April 17, 18 and 19 at 8:30 p.m. at the Hearst Dance Theater in the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus. The Hearst Dance Theater is an accessible venue with wheelchair and companion seating in the front row. The April 18 performance will be open-captioned. Guests in need of other access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at LewisCenter@princeton.edu.
“entre moi et nous” (French for “between me and us”) is a new contemporary work by Toujas that explores the tensions and joys of navigating a multicultural identity. The piece draws from her French heritage and examines the push and pull of fitting in and standing apart, the struggle to trust oneself amid shifting expectations, and the fragmentation that comes with searching for belonging. Translucent drapes that hang in the performance space create an additional physical manifestation of separation. “entre moi et nous” questions how we reconnect—with ourselves and with others—when the different aspects of our identity feel unaligned. In addition to Toujas, her cast includes Adam Littman Davis ’25, Shannon Ma ’27, Gisele Sonnier ’27, and Renata Suárez ’28. Lewis Center Resident Music Director and Composer Vince di Mura has created original music for Toujas’ piece.
Princeton senior Clara Toujas (front) and the cast of her new choreographic work “entre moi et nous.” Photo Credit: Emily Tang
“The Time Left” by Wangermann is an exploration of storytelling through traditional musical theater choreography and blending that nostalgia with a contemporary twist. The piece follows a community through reunion, resolution, and separation, accompanied by a live band performing works from Peggy Lee’s discography directed by di Mura. In addition to Wangermann, her cast includes Sofia Rodriguez-Tucker ‘27, Mariel Shapiro ‘27, Kate Willey ‘27, and Sam Yamashita ‘26.
Toujas is a senior from the Washington, DC, area majoring in computer science and minoring in dance. She has been dancing her whole life and trained primarily at CityDance School and Conservatory. At Princeton, she is a member of BodyHype Dance Company and Princeton University Ballet. Through the Princeton Dance Festival, Toujas has performed original and repertory works by Mark Morris, Ronald K. Brown, Amy Hall Garner and Yue Yin.
Wangermann is a senior from Dallas, Texas, majoring in English with minors in dance and theater. She started her training at Dallas Black Dance Theater and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In her time at Princeton, she has performed with the Triangle Club and DiSiac Dance Company, as well as in many Lewis Center for the Arts productions.
Toujas’ primary choreographic advisor is Director of the Program in Dance Susan Marshall and Wangermann’s is Associate Director Rebecca Lazier, who also serves as the choreographers’ joint production advisor. Lighting is by theater faculty member Tess James, and stage management is by Milan Eldridge. Costume design is by Toujas and Wangermann in consultation with E. Keating Helfrich Debelak and guest artist Mary Jo Mecca.
The Program in Dance, now in its 54th year, and has grown to include five full-time and nine adjunct faculty and offers 23 different courses serving more than 400 students each year with a curriculum that includes introductory courses, courses suited for dancers at the pre-professional level, as well as courses in dance studies and interdisciplinary contemporary practices. Seniors minoring in dance undertake a course of study and performance, co-curricular classes, technical hours, and an independent project such as choreographing a new work, performing a new or repertory work by a professional guest choreographer or faculty member, or a work of dance scholarship.
Visit the Lewis Center website to learn more about the Program in Dance and the more than 100 performances, exhibitions, readings, screenings, concerts, and lectures presented each year by the Lewis Center for the Arts.
