Reality shows have significantly impacted pop culture, and not all of these shows have been for the worst. “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Dancing with the Stars” and even “Dance Moms” have revitalized America’s appreciation for dance. Onscreen drama aside, the amount of talent and creativity present on these shows has turned the public eye toward the art of dance. These shows have taken classical stylings and modernized them to fit into contemporary culture.

Marquette dancers are working hard to do the same. This year, students in Hype, Dance Inc. and Pure Dance have all been choreographing innovative, experimental pieces that are sure to pump up any crowd.

Hype Dance

Hype is primarily a hip-hop based dance group that thrives on choreographing dances that play up hip-hop’s edge. T.J. Bowden, a sophomore in the College of Communication, describes Hype’s style as high-energy with an upbeat feel.

“(The show’s themes) vary, but our shows exemplify something that’s hard, gritty and fun,” Bowden said.

Jackie Adler, a junior in the College of Education, said Hype’s individual pieces are short — generally only 45 seconds long — but the performances are action packed.

“It’s a lot of booty shaking and a good time,” Adler said.

While Hype’s performances are rooted in hip-hop, group members come from varying dance backgrounds. Hip-hop dancers, lyrical dancers, ballerinas, poms and even some people who had never danced before complete the small group.

The team has made the diversity work to their advantage. Each member of the group has choreographed a 45 second piece that integrates cheer routines, ballet and poms into typical hip-hop.

“Everyone has put on the choreographer hat and has taught someone else a little something,” Adler said.

Bowden looks for new inspiration from influential dancers to create his own routines. He would like to continue to choreograph dances with more contemporary and musical theater spins on hip-hop.

Bowden performed in musical theater throughout high school. During his senior year, he auditioned for dance troupes in Chicago and became a professional dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and After School Matters: Hip Hop Culture Dance. These experiences have influenced his styles of choreography.

“One of the greatest things a performer can do is use powerful and creative inspiration,” Bowden said. “I see some great choreography from other musicians and start to envision a new music video.”

Bowden hopes Marquette’s dance programs continue to expand.

“I would love to see more financial support from administration,” Bowden said. “There are a lot of great facilities on campus that could house cool spaces for art.”

Hype has a performance every semester, along with collaborating with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Hype chapter for other productions. Hype will perform their spring show during their showcase in April.

Pure Dance

Alyssa Miller, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, classifies Pure Dance as a mostly lyrical and jazz ensemble, with an occasional tap and pointe routine.

Pure Dance recently won second place in Winter Flurry’s Spotlight Talent Show, with their power-pop spunky jazz piece, “I Like That.” Last semester, Pure Dance’s fall show had a nature theme. The lyrical piece “Storm” by Lifehouse, choreographed by Rachel Sayotovich, a junior in the College of Education, was a memorable performance for Miller.

Sayotovich and her father built a plexiglass box for “Storm.” The box was illuminated with lights and was filled with six inches of water. The dancers and moved in and out of the box, dancing in the water to accentuate the storm in the piece.

Miller said there will be more unique dances in the upcoming spring show, with more jazz pieces than in the past. The show’s opener will feature colored light bulbs, although Miller does not know exactly how they will be used.

“(The light bulbs) will be a surprise for everyone,” Miller said. “It’s going to be a super sassy show.”

Pure Dance will be performing at Moves 4 Milwaukee, an event for poverty and homelessness awareness, tonight in the Weasler Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., along with the Gold ‘n Blues and the Studio 013 Refugees.

Dance Inc.

Dance Inc. does not focus on a specific style of dance but keeps the shows interesting by mixing up the types of dances every semester. In the past, dancers have brought musical theater, jazz, tap, hip-hop and ballroom dancing to the stage.

Jenny Czubkowski, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, has danced her whole life and did not want to give up dance during college. She has danced with Dance Inc. the past three semesters.

“Dance Inc. can be anything. You name it, we probably have done some variation of it,” Czubkowski said.

Czubkowski said in the past the most engaging pieces have been the ballroom dances and other partner pieces. The musical theater pieces are popular with any audience because of the nature of the performance — it’s dramatic, spunky and ultimately fun to watch.

All of the dances are completely student choreographed, but this gives the dancers more flexibility and creative room. Czubkowski is currently choreographing a jazz piece that uses a chair as a prop.

“(When choreographing) dig deep and find an emotion that you can create a dance around,” Czubkowski said.

Dance Inc. will be performing their spring show April 20 and 22. Location and times are TBA.