On Thursday, February 27, one of Mississippi College’s most beloved traditions returned to the stage of Swor Auditorium. Swerve, an annual dance competition, gives clubs, tribes, and independent teams the opportunity to compete for their philanthropies of choice.
Students buzz about prize winners and favorite moments — but Swerve is also about the moments that happen off-stage.
In the weeks preceding Swerve, members of the 11 competing teams spent their nights rehearsing their routines.
“I hope people like what we came up with,” Pember Smith, one of Nenamoosha Social Tribe’s Swerve co-chairs, said. “This is our first time choreographing a whole dance, and a lot of work has been put into it – I hope people love it.”
Members of the Nenamoosha Social Tribe practice at an off campus facility. “I hope it looks on stage the same way it looks when I view it in my head,” NT Swerve co-chair Anna Kate Humphries said. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Bethany Bradshaw as Alice in a dress rehearsal of Alice in Wonderland. Bradshaw was one of the co-chairs of returning independent team New Kids on the Block. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Civitan rehearses a gravity-defying moment for Caleb Grubbs [center]. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
On the night of the performance, members of Kokoa Men’s Club and Kissimee Social Tribe were offered early admission for their status as Club and Tribe of the Year. The rest of the attendees waited hours outside the doors of Swor Auditorium, hoping to secure the best views.
The first students rush to the auditorium to secure their seats. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Members of the Student Productions Committee collect tickets at the doors. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
The audience was full of members of various social organizations. Many of them opted to cluster together to collectively cheer on their team.
Swannanoa Social Tribe members chat before the show starts. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Photo Credit: Marco Pineda
Sporting cowboy hats and finger guns, members of Laguna Social Tribe tease their theme: Outlaws. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Photo Credit: Marco Pineda
Energy from audience members was high as teams brought their final performances to the stage on Thursday.
“When trying to set the opening scene of the performance, that's exactly what we hoped for,” NT sophomore beau Luke Hardin said. “A lot of people recognize Top Gun. In terms of how that moment affected us, it brought the energy, and I think it helped everyone feel a sense of accomplishment, because when that curtain opens, that's exactly what we were hoping for.”
Members of Nenamoosha Social Tribe open their performance of Top Gun in a unique formation, mimicking the iconic movie scene. At this moment, members of the audience began to sing along to the track, Great Balls Of Fire. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Audience members look on as Grubbs performs his acrobatic stunt in Civitan’s performance, entitled Netflix. Civitan was the first men’s club to perform. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Members of the Choctaw Swing Dancers, an independent team formed by members of the Swing Dancing Club, perform A Spanish Love Story. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Swing Dancing Club president Ellie Acton and vice president Jackson Polk play out a silent scene. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
A moment from the Choctaw Swing Dancers’ A Spanish Love Story from behind the curtain. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Teams waited outside of Swor Auditorium before being led backstage for their big moment.
The Choctaw Swing Dancers. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Chenoa Social Tribe. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
After the performances, an award ceremony was held on the Caf Patio.
Chenoa beau Michael Hederman walks away victorious, holding up his Outstanding Performer award. Hederman was one of five to win the coveted prize. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Robert Pennell, co-chair of the MC Student Production Committee alongside Cait May [left], shows off the first place trophy as the winner is announced. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
New Kids performs a stunt. The independent team won the first place award. A portion of ticket sales will go to their philanthropy, MC Dance Marathon. (Photo Credit: Marco Pineda)
Thanks for reading Blue & Gold Media | Mississippi College! This post is public so feel free to share it.
