This past Friday and Saturday, Fusion Dance Company performed their 42nd annual spring show, “Crush.” The show — which featured nearly 30 performances — weaved emotional storytelling with aesthetic subtlety to create a showcase that felt cohesive, distinct and powerful.
Over the course of the show, the group effortlessly transitioned between high-energy performances and slower, more contemplative ones. “HOTR” had dancers burst onto the stage with an exciting range of movement, while others — such as “the field” and “while my guitar gently weeps” — maintained a slower cadence. But no matter the tempo, each dance was choreographed effectively and with clear intention.
The versatile slate of dances performed at the show reflects Fusion’s long-standing commitment to diverse identities and dance styles.
According to the show’s program, Fusion’s roots at Brown stretch back to 1983, with a performance choreographed by Paula Franklin ’86 — a “precursor” to Fusion. That spring auditions were held to form a dance company that has continued over the past four decades, with a stated commitment to being a “multi-cultural, multi-ethnic group of dancers” who reject “modern-day constraints on body shape, size, dance style or choreography.”
Across the range of performances showcased in “Crush,” Fusion made intelligent use of color. Rather than overwhelming the stage with elaborate backdrops, the dance group kept their lighting and costuming much less complicated — with a color palette of soft greens, deep blues, subtle pinks and black. The simplicity of these colors allowed the technically demanding and emotionally layered dances to shine in their own right, focusing viewers’ attention to the dancers’ fluidity and movement instead of unnecessary bells and whistles.
This intentional visual design was apparent in pieces like “Sober,” where black outfits met a stark white spotlight, and “You Know What This Is,” which creatively played with silhouettes.
“You Stole the Show,” a dance choreographed by Stephanie Lin ’27, was especially masterful. Each dancer maintained a delicate strength in technically challenging movements, and performers delivered their entrances and exits so gracefully that it seemed as though they were afraid to disturb the floor beneath them. Transitioning between emotional peaks and moments of subtlety, the piece felt like a dual meditation on power and softness.
Even for those with no prior dance experience, “Crush” was thrilling to watch. Interactive elements of the show, such as dancers competing in playful handstand competitions and riff-offs, kept the audience engaged and brought energy into the room.
The show concluded with a heartfelt sendoff for the members of Fusion set to finish their time at Brown this spring, giving a bittersweet ending to something incredible — a night of dynamic, exhilarating and emotional dance.
Timothy Ro is a senior staff writer covering arts and culture.
