By Bethany Sanderson/reporter

NW students will demonstrate what they’ve learned this semester during Choreographers Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in the dance studio (WHPE 1103).

“This is a really unique opportunity for both the faculty and the students in that the students create their own dance works,” said adjunct dance instructor Jeff Kaplan.

Ordinarily, dancers have the opportunity to perform works choreographed by faculty or dance artists, but this class is specifically designed to teach students to create works themselves, Kaplan said.

For this particular course, the NW dance students are responsible for finding their own dancers.

“This is quite a lot of responsibility,” Kaplan said.

The student choreographers asked their friends to perform their dance works.

Kaplan said that process brings in students from other departments and involves them with the dance program.

“I was very picky about who I picked,” said NW dance student Marissa Fuller. “I also look into a lot of what my dancers are capable of and what they are comfortable in. I like to show them off as best I can.”

Each member of the class will perform one piece.

The showcase highlights 15 choreographers.

“I did my piece based on my relationship with my mom,” said NW dance student Katie Nichol. “It’s kind of a bad relationship. I chose my dancers based on their style of dance. I wanted to help other people overcome any problems that they are having in their relationships.”

Many of the dance members are also members of Mosaic, NW Campus’ primary dance company.

“They do a great deal of touring and appearances both on and off campus,” Kaplan said.