Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet Program Highlights

The Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet program at the Luckman Theatre featured three pieces: ?Glassworks? (2024), the world premiere of ?Islands in the Sea? (2025), and ?Restless (encore)? (2025), all choreographed by Raiford Rogers with assistance from Lisa Gillespie. The dancers demonstrated exceptional skill and technique, executing movements with precision and stamina, showcasing a strong collective effort. The first piece, ?Glassworks,? was accompanied by music from Philip Glass and enhanced by stunning visual projections from Mike Nava, creating an immersive atmosphere. A standout moment included a female dancer in a white leotard delivering a captivating solo that highlighted her physicality. The second piece, ?Islands in the Sea,? unfortunately felt too similar to the first, lacking distinctiveness in choreography and style, which was disheartening for its premiere status. The final piece, ?Restless (encore),? brought a lighter energy with vibrant performances. However, a notable omission in the program was the lack of credit for soloists, which detracted from the acknowledgment of their contributions. Overall, the program showcased strong talent but could benefit from clearer differentiation among the pieces.