Texas A&M University College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University College of Performance,
Visualization & Fine Arts

Choreographers Across Texas Showcased at Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival

Choreographers — including faculty members in the Dance program — presented their work at the Physical Education Activity Program Building.

Oct. 11, 2025By Bailey Brown

3 min. read

A university dance student kneels during his dance performance surrounded by flower petals on the dance floor.
“Cempasúchil,” choreographed and performed by Mark Aguilar, a Master of Fine Arts in Dance student. Photo by Justin Kling.

Choreographers from across Texas and beyond presented their work at the Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival on Sept. 19 and 20 in the Black Box Theater at the Physical Education Activity Program Building.

Hosted by the Dance program in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, the festival brings professional dancers and choreographers to share their artistic works with the community. Featured work was selected through a competitive process, said Carisa Armstrong, M.F.A., organizer and associate professor. New York-based Skye Todaro; Round Rock-based Spaces of Fontana; Jai Alexander of Houston; and VERVE Contemporary Dance Company of Nacogdoches were among this year’s performers.

Dance faculty members also showcased work, including John Cartwright, M.F.A., lecturer, who presented “RIGOR NOT US SHEEPLE.” Elijah Alhadji Gibson, M.F.A., assistant professor, presented work choreographed by his Houston-based dance company, Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theatre.

The following pieces were performed on Sept. 19:

Act I

  • “Fault Lines,” choreographed by Terrill Mitchell of Social Contemporary Dance Theater. Performed by Rylee Burns, Riley Emler, Alyssa Foglia, Rachael Hutto, Allyson Ruble, Raegan Noëlle Taylor, Macey Vasquez, Yu Ling Yeh. Costumes by Elijah Gibson. Lighting by Terrill Mitchell.
  • “Table for One (No One),” choreographed and performed by Skye Todaro. Costume by Nate Pennington. Lighting by Christopher Ham.
  • “Constant Chaos (Excerpt from BECOMING),” choreographed by Evelyn Joy Hoelscher of Spaces of Fontana. Performed by Nicole Dugdale, Evelyn Joy Hoelscher, Laney Phillips and Matthew Sommers. Costumes by Taryn Lavery.
  • “RIGOR NOT US SHEEPLE,” choreographed by John Cartwright. Performed by Kambree Beavers, Carissa Mathiason and Dylan Wagnon. Sounds by Antonio Sánchez. Costumes by John Cartwright. Lighting by Jam Martinez.

Three dancers perform in a dance black box on a university campus.
“RIGOR NOT US SHEEPLE,” choreographed by John Cartwright. Performed by Kambree Beavers, Carissa Mathiason and Dylan Wagnon. Photo by Justin Kling.

Act II

  • “null,” choreographed by Jai Alexander. Performed by Tabitha Ezzelle, Brianna Payne and Emily Rodriguez.
  • “Cempasúchil,” choreographed and performed by Mark Aguilar. Costume by Mark Aguilar and Grace Rogers. Lighting by Jam Martinez.
  • “How We Move Together — Abridged,” choreographed by Persi Mey of Riddles Three. Performed by Jasmine Bruns, Michelle Reyes, Dannielle Shaw and Zinnia Havelka. Costumes by Persi Mey.
  • “Vectors,” choreographed and performed by Jennifer Salter and Jamie Williams.
  • “El Poder en lo Remenino,” choreographed by Rebeca Gamborino in collaboration with UTRGV Dance Ensemble. Performed by Carime Aimee Carreon, Martha Cervantes, Daniela Cruz, Samara Gonzalez, Arlet Juarez, Jennaka Martinez, Rebekah Matias, Gabriela Meza, Natalia Montiel, Fernanda Rico, Isela Saavedra, Anel Valdivia Catalan. Lighting by Angel Pena.
Four dancers perform in a dance black box stage on a university campus. They are in heavy flowing outfits and in a pose closer to the ground.
“How We Move Together — Abridged,” choreographed by Persi Mey of Riddles Three. Performed by Jasmine Bruns, Michelle Reyes, Dannielle Shaw and Zinnia Havelka. Photo by Justin Kling.
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