This past weekend, the Tufts Dance Collective put on an incredible performance led by an exceptional team: Kylie McNulty, Luke Morris, Mia Parangalan, Ali Wawner and Molly Sullivan. The show, titled “H.A.G.S,” featured a variety of creative dance compilations, including “The Lana Del Reaping,” “Does Bruno Mars is Gay?” and “Good Will Cunting.”
Luke Morris, who has served as TDC president for the past three semesters and is graduating this year, has played a crucial role in transforming the club into a well-organized, inclusive community on campus. Likewise, he recently received the Tufts Community Union Senate Jumbo Pride Award, which recognizes student leaders who exemplify Jumbo pride and who have made incredible efforts to bring the community together throughout the school year.
Morris joined TDC during his first year, viewing it as a low-commitment and fun way to get involved on campus. However, after his first show, which featured an array of references from “Euphoria” and songs by the Blue Man Group, he became completely hooked.
For the spring performance, Morris co-choreographed one of the standout dances, “Lana Del Reaping.” The dancers were dressed as tributes from “The Hunger Games” (2012), and the performance included a montage of scenes from the movie, notably reenacting Katniss Everdeen’s bow-and-arrow shot.
Traditionally, TDC opens each show with a dance choreographed by the executive board and performed by all the choreographers. This choreo dance, typically inspired by the main theme of the performance, is learned on the day of the event. This year, however, they introduced a new tradition with an executive board only dance to kick off the show. According to McNulty, Morris’s co-president, this gives executive board members, especially those who are seniors, a unique opportunity to perform dances they’ve always wanted to showcase. For example, McNulty used the dance as a chance to fulfill her dream of incorporating references from “Magic Mike” (2012) and “Dirty Dancing” (1987) into her choreography.
McNulty, a senior who has been part of executive board for one year and a dancer for six semesters, similarly fell in love with TDC after her first performance, titled “Dua Mobile,” which combined the themes of Dua Lipa and Duo Mobile. Her favorite choreography, however, is “Avada Kedabra,” combining themes from the Harry Potter franchise and the popular emote “the dab.” This performance notably featured a dance battle among the houses of “Harry Potter,” concluding with Slytherin performing “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj. This year, she choreographed “Does Bruno Mars is Gay?,” showcasing vibrant costumes that perfectly matched the red silk set from Mars’ “24k Magic” (2016) album. Much of her inspiration is drawn from “Dancing with the Stars” (2005–) “Dance Moms” (2011–19), the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and TikTok trends.
McNulty views TDC as an important rite of passage at Tufts, emphasizing the confidence it instills and the friendships it fosters between its members. Her key piece of advice to newcomers is to fully commit to the experience; everyone she knows who participated wished they’d started sooner.
Mia Parangalan, another executive board member, co-choreographed the dance “Good Will Cunting.” The dance is inspired by the film “Good Will Hunting” (1997), including quotes from the movie and songs that represent Boston, as well as a generous helping of diva-style dancing. To reflect this idea, the dance includes songs from artists like Doechii and Beyoncé. The dancers dressed in schoolboy and schoolgirl outfits, complete with collared shirts, khaki pants and maroon ties.
Looking ahead to the fall show, Parangalan anticipates and hopes for dances inspired by popular television programs such as “The White Lotus” and “Severance,” as well as music from popular artists such as pop-star Sabrina Carpenter.
TDC offers a truly unique opportunity for college students, enabling anyone and everyone to get on stage and have fun. Especially now that TDC is more open to underclassmen, all students should take the advice of the executive board: join in for the upcoming fall semester and don’t miss out on the fun.
