Laughter and hushed whispers filled Liu Cheung Theater as the audience took their seats anticipating the long-awaited event. On February 7th and 8th, Webb’s faculty, students, and families gathered for the annual winter dance show. Choreographed by Daria Kaufman, Dance Company Director, the show is a vital part of the Webb Community, serving as both a unifying event and a cherished annual tradition. The annual Dance Shows stands as a significant example of student-teacher collaboration, where the senior choreographers have as much say as Mrs. Kaufman. From the dancers and choreographers to the tech crew and audience, everyone played a role in bringing the show to life.  

Audience perspective:  

Webbies with no prior dance experience or those who have never seen the show before appreciated the carefully crafted performance — audiences captivated through dynamic choreography, expressive storytelling, and creative staging. Whether through intricate solos or synchronized group pieces, the show evoked emotions that resonated with dance enthusiasts and first-time viewers.  

“It was my first dance show, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I thought there were some really cool visuals,” Evan Chang (‘26) said. “I really liked the community dinner piece because it was both comedic and symbolic. While watching, I genuinely had no idea what would happen next.” 

Those with no direct involvement in the two-month-long dance production were drawn in — many coming to support friends, the numerous emails sent out, or the artistic promotional posters adorning Webb’s halls.  

“I wanted to support my friends, and they told me to come,” Tobey Ng (‘26) said. “I didn’t have high expectations, but after seeing the various settings and backdrops, the colorful lights that followed the performance, and the frequent costume changes, I was surprised.” 

Beyond its technical execution, those in attendance report the show’s success lies in its ability to balance comprehensibility with artistic depth. Audience members praised the student- and teacher-choreographed routines for being both easy to follow and captivating, keeping them engaged from start to finish. Each performance told a distinct story, whether through fluid contemporary movements or energetic, fast-paced choreography, allowing even those unfamiliar with dance to appreciate the art form. 

“I thought it was fantastic,” Jason Chang (‘27) said. “Despite there being a lot of outfit changes, like the red dresses to suits, and numerous props involved, there was still a strong sense of cohesion among the dancers.” 

“All the dancers were great, and the individual choreography pieces felt authentic to each performer,” Samantha Crawford (‘26) said. “I’ve been to a lot of dance shows, but this might be my favorite one because there were so many different dance styles each with their own vibe and music.” 

Based on the audience’s responses, the dance show delivered a cohesive and well-thought-out experience that left a lasting impact on those watching. Despite the faculty choreographer having just two years of experience, the production quality maintained — and perhaps even exceeded — the previous dance shows. The masterful blend of student creativity and faculty guidance resulted in a performance that remained deeply engaging, even for audience members who were unaware of the planning process or initially uninterested in dance. 

Behind the Curtains:  

Every performance starts long before the curtains rise. For the Webb Schools’ Winter Dance Show, the journey started two months prior in Liu Cheung Theater. During these months, dancers gathered in the theater every day after school, pushing through challenging choreography and formations.  

The show revolved around the theme of Code of Conducts, a concept that resonated not only in the movements of the dancers but also in the way the show was structured. Unlike previous years where the themes often are about abstract concepts and emotions, this year’s show explores the idea of rules, when to follow them, when to break them, and how they define human interaction in the Webb community and beyond.  

At Webb, where the honor code serves as the foundation for student life, the theme Code of Conducts carried an even deeper significance. For Mrs. Kaufman, the dance show was an opportunity to explore these questions through the movement displayed during the show.  

“I really wanted to show that dance has the capacity to really say something and speak to the times,” Mrs. Kaufman said. “That’s why I had you learn those two historical pieces [Green Table and Rosas]. One of them is really about gender codes and femininity and the other one speaks to the rise of fascism in times of war. I wanted to kind of inspire more awareness on how dance can reflect the times.”  

By incorporating historical pieces like The Green Table and Rosas, Mrs. Kaufman urged dancers to think about how rules and power constructs shape the world around them. These pieces set the stage for the student-led choreography, where Webb’s senior dancers took the theme a step further, interpreting it through their own perspectives.  

“I have been putting thoughts into my senior choreography for years; it is like my chapel talk that I kept on imagining and reinventing in my mind,” Anna Zeng (‘25) said. “Initially, I had a highly abstract vision for the show — I wanted to create a storytelling piece with a philosophical message about how over-reliance on vision blinds us to authentic reality.” 

Regardless of the joy and dedication the dancers poured into the show, various challenges still arose — even for the most experienced performers. 

“The biggest challenge was the lack of rehearsal time for our group,” Anna said. “Dancing as a team requires extensive training together—building foundations, stamina, breath control, and synchronization, and I really wish I could lead my group through such a process for the dance show this year.” 

The weight of responsibility was not limited to the dancers. The tech crew played an equally crucial role in bringing Code of Conduct to life.  

“We control the sound, the lighting, and all the props and everything on stage so the lighting really sets the tone for getting the story across, said Michael Albornoz (‘26), member of the tech crew. It just helps the dancer have the right props and lighting for the show.” However, he also noted that there seemed to be moments of chaos during rehearsals.  

“I enjoyed the show, and I don’t think I would’ve changed anything, but the dancers were sort of frantic and less organized compared to previous years,” said Michael. “A lot of them weren’t on time and punctual.” 

Though there were some challenges throughout the choreography process, the collaboration between dancers, choreographers, and the tech team led to a successful and powerful performance in the end.  

From the audience’s perspective, the dance show was a seamless performance and an enjoyable weekend opportunity to support their friends on stage. But behind the curtains, the experience was far from effortless: dancers, choreographers, and tech members dedicated months to creating, learning, and perfecting each movement. Despite the challenges, the perseverance and passion of everyone involved — from performers and tech crew to audience members — facilitated a meaningful and engaging performance.