Houston’s performing arts scene is preparing for a vibrant jolt of creativity as the University of Houston Dance Program unveils its much-anticipated “Emerging Choreographers Showcase,” an annual celebration of fresh perspectives, daring storytelling, and the next wave of dance innovators shaping the city’s artistic future. This year promises a particularly electrifying lineup, amplified by the premiere of “Colors of a Woman,” choreographed by rising star Kylie Jefferson and performed by the magnetic duo Cecilia Garza-Luna and Myah Morales.

With each premiere work, UH’s senior choreographers invite audiences into personal worlds filled with triumph, reflection, cultural pride, and courageous vulnerability—reminding us why Houston continues to be a national hub for diverse creative talent.

A Showcase of Stories That Move the Soul

“The Heart’s Pursuit” – Choreography by Rachel Croom

Croom opens the evening with a contemporary tapestry of emotion, charting the exhilarating highs, aching lows, and tender in-betweens that define the human journey toward one’s dreams. It is a reminder that destiny rarely runs in a straight line—and that the detours often teach us the most.

“Her Color Is Power” – Choreography by Asia Hawkins

Hawkins presents femininity in its many forms: soft yet fierce, vulnerable yet radiant. This dynamic heels piece boldly affirms that womanhood is a spectrum of light, shadow, and unstoppable power—and even the costumes carry secrets waiting to be revealed.

“Depths of Devotion” – Choreography by Caitlin Gamel

Inspired by the life-risking bravery of cave divers, Gamel asks a haunting question: What do we sacrifice for passion? With each movement echoing the tension between danger and devotion, this piece becomes a physical meditation on purpose and mortality.

“Untitled” – Choreography by Melanie Garcia & Cecilia Gomez

Garcia and Gomez infuse the stage with Latin American rhythm and heart while confronting immigration experiences often left unheard. “Our goal is to tell our story and the story of those who do not have the luxury to speak up,” says Gomez. The result is a stirring tribute to resilience, identity, and cultural pride.

New Work by Sydni Lee

Lee places five dancers inside a structured musical framework, only to allow their voices—literally—to disrupt and reshape it. The dancers create their own soundscape, blending precision and improvisation to explore how human expression constantly bends the rules it’s given.

Solo by Talia Saulsberry

Saulsberry confronts the overwhelming feeling of “drowning”—emotionally, creatively, or literally—through movement that pushes the limits of the body’s expressive potential. Her work illuminates the spaces between ideas, the gaps that artists struggle to fill, and the courage required to face them.

“Homage” – Choreography by Erin Paulina Sorola

Sorola closes the showcase with a triumphant celebration of freedom, confidence, and unapologetic self-expression. Drawing inspiration from house culture, Black and Latino dance traditions, and the LGBTQ+ community, “Homage” is a vibrant reminder that dance can be both sanctuary and liberation.

Featured Premiere: “Colors of a Woman” by Kylie Jefferson

The highlight of the weekend is Jefferson’s exquisite new work—an ode to the strength, softness, and kaleidoscopic experiences that shape womanhood. Performed by Cecilia Garza-Luna and Myah Morales, the piece blends elegance, fire, and emotional nuance in a way only Jefferson can deliver. Expect beauty. Expect boldness. Expect to be moved.

Event Details – Mark Your Calendar: 

Friday, December 5, 2025 – 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM CT

Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 7:30 PM CT

VENUE: Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre
3351 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204

Tickets: $10–$20 🎟 Purchase Tickets:
https://kgmcaboxoffice.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx?cid=180