As the Department of Theatre and Dance in the School of the Arts, part of the College of Liberal Arts, prepares for its annual Spring Dance Concert, guest artist Christine Cali invites audiences into her creative process and her time at the ҹɫÊÓƵ.
Cali, a choreographer, collaborator and owner of CALI & CO, a Bay Area-based dance company, is known for her relationship-centered approach to dance-making and is contributing new work to this year’s concert alongside faculty pieces. The program features a range of performances, including lively hip-hop and contemporary choreography, offering audiences a dynamic look at dance.
For Cali, the foundation of her work begins with a deep fascination with human movement in all its forms. “I am obsessed with seeing humans move, whether they are trained dancers or everyday people,” she said. “I believe dance lives in everybody.”
That philosophy shapes not only what she creates, but how she creates it. Rather than relying on rigid structures, Cali embraces what she describes as an “emergent” process. One that centers the lived experiences and identities of the people in the room.
“I have moved away from rigid formulas for dance-making and instead make room for amplifying the lived experiences and authentic identities of collaborators,” Cali said. “Working this way can be slower, but for me, it is the most honest and value-aligned way for me to make work.”
Her approach is influenced by both her upbringing in a blue-collar, union-focused family in the Buffalo-Niagara region and her time in San Francisco, where she was immersed in a culture of progressive political action. These experiences continue to inform her commitment to equity, inclusion and shared creative ownership. “A healthy, inclusive, equitable, accessible container for making creative work is more important to me as a choreographer than the final product,” she said.
That emphasis on collaboration extends into her work with music and sound. Cali frequently partners with musician Matt Langlois to create original compositions that evolve alongside the choreography. “The music isn’t just a backdrop,” she said. “The dance and music collaboration is truly a dialogue, where each influences the other.”
This allows the work to remain fluid and responsive, with unexpected moments often shaping the final piece. “I love the unknown moments in the creative process when suddenly a music idea comes through and it carries the whole process forward,” Cali said.
At the ҹɫÊÓƵ, Cali brought the same collaborative spirit into the studio, guiding students through an intensive, fast-paced creative process. Despite the condensed timeline, developing a 25-minute piece in just five days, Cali noted the students’ openness to stepping outside of what felt familiar and experimenting and engaging with the process. “I was surprised and moved by the students’ willingness to engage in a process that was a bit unfamiliar to them,” she said.
Cali added, “The collaboration with ҹɫÊÓƵ students has been spectacular. We were able to quickly create a space for trust that led to co-creation, hard work and joy.”
Through that process, she hopes students have gained more than just performance experience. “I hope they take away the ability to move with agency and greater sensory awareness, trusting their own decisions rather than trying to fit a ‘standard’ or ‘norm,’” Cali said.
For audiences, Cali’s work aims to create a similar participatory and reflective experience. Her choreography explores themes such as perfectionism, vulnerability and authenticity. Encouraging viewers to connect to the performance in their own lives. “I hope audiences feel a visceral response to the work,” she said. “I hope audience members can feel that they are not only spectators and consumers, but also participants in a community.”
Ultimately, her goal is to leave both performers and audiences with a sense of freedom. “I’m okay being seen making mistakes,” Cali said. “I show up where I’m at. It means being vulnerable and authentic. It means taking risks and being brave.”
Spring Dance Concert runs April 30 through May 2 in the Redfield Proscenium Theatre. Reserved seating is available. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for University faculty and staff and $5 for students. For tickets and additional information, visit our Spring Dance Concert webpage.
