On a spring weekend in April, lights dimmed, music pulsed and nearly 180 dancers moved on stage — some in tap shoes, others hitting hip-hop moves or gliding through lyrical solos.
For AU in Motion, American University’s largest student-run dance organization, the spring 2025 showcase, “AUIM Insider,” wasn’t just a performance. It was a love letter to the movement, friendship and the idea that anyone, no matter their experience, belongs on stage.
“Everyone who wants to dance should receive the opportunity to do so in an inclusive environment,” Co-Presidents Molly Collins and Sophia Macdonald wrote in the program.
And that’s exactly what happened as 34 original dances came to life on the stage of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School.
AU in Motion isn’t a dance team or competitive group, which is exactly what makes it one of the most beloved student organizations at the University. What started years ago as a small club has now grown into an 180-member powerhouse that is a home for anyone who wants to move.
There are no cuts and no pressure to be perfect.
“I didn’t want to be a dance major,” Collins, a recent graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, said. “I still wanted to be able to dance. So I looked for opportunities to do that and found AU in Motion, and saw it was no pressure, they didn’t make cuts, and anyone could join. That was so exciting to me.”
Co-President Sophia Macdonald, a rising junior in the School of Public Affairs, had her eye on AU in Motion before she even stepped on campus.
“I found AU In Motion and I had my heart set on it all summer because it seemed so low-key,” Macdonald said. “I came from a recreational studio, so I didn't want to do anything crazy.”
For students like Collins and Macdonald, AUIM filled a specific niche: serious about dance, but not competitive. The club stands apart from the University’s dance team or academic dance program, which are more structured and time intensive.
“AUIM is more centered around making a community and being able to dance within that community,” Macdonald said.
Each semester, AU in Motion welcomes students to audition for choreographed pieces, but the process is more about the experience than flawlessness.
“There’s truly nothing to be scared of,” Collins said. “It is a really welcoming and non-judgmental environment. We have people who have danced their entire lives competitively, trained professionally, and then people who have just been dancing in their bedrooms or have never taken a class before.”
Kate Snyder, a rising senior in SPA, had no prior dance experience when she signed up.
“I think everyone should join. I didn’t have any dance experience and I still have so much fun,” she said. “Even if you don’t have experience, it’s still definitely very welcoming and you feel great.”
For many members, the club became their first real community at AU. Some showed up alone to auditions; others were referred by a friend. But time and time again, what kept them coming back wasn’t just choreography — it was friendship.
“Some of the people I met my freshman year are still my closest friends to this day,” Collins said. “Depending on how involved you want to be in the club, when you’re around people for long enough, you develop closer bonds.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the club.
“The majority of my friends are the people that I dance with every single day,” Adela Camposano, a rising senior in CAS, said. “It was just life-changing, honestly. It helped me to balance between school and dance.”
Grace Lang, a recent graduate of SPA, spoke to the confidence the club gave her.
“When I joined AU in Motion, the amazing choreographers, e-board. and people that I met really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “It's given me the confidence to try new things in all areas, not just in dance, but everywhere else.”
For many dancers, AU in Motion is the first time they’ve stepped into a studio in years. For others, it’s their first time ever. That’s the point.
That environment, where auditions aren’t about proving yourself, and where perfection isn’t the goal, is what draws so many students in.
Annika Lowe, a recent graduate of the School of International Service, joined for a creative outlet and a way to meet new people.
“I wanted to join AU in Motion to have a form of fitness on campus and also to make new friends and get to perform,” she said. “I wanted to experience the community that I saw on the stage.”
For some, AU in Motion offered a chance to expand their dance experience.
“I danced my whole life and I wanted another outlet to dance,” Izzie Radford, a recent graduate of SPA, said. “I’ve never gotten to do a lot of the styles — I never did hip hop or heels or vogue. And I met people that I plan to be friends with for the rest of my life.”
Shayna Friedman, a recent graduate of CAS, encouraged students who are on the fence to take the leap. “Don’t be afraid to try new styles. Just show up to auditions. You never know what will happen,” she said. “They’re not scary.”
And for those who do show up, whether for one dance or five, there’s always a place.
This spring’s showcase, “AUIM Insider,” wasn’t just a performance, it was a farewell. Over 50 graduating seniors took their final bows with the club that had carried them through college, many of them choreographing, performing, and leading the club for the last time.
“I’m so grateful for AU in Motion and the community it has given me,” Collins wrote in the program. After eight semesters in the club and three years on the executive board, she described her experience as “dancing, creating, and building friendships that will last long beyond my time in the club.”
Nikki LeVee, a recent graduate of the School of Education, who choreographed and danced in the showcase, reflected on her journey in the program. “I am so grateful for the gift of spending my first semester to final semester with AU In Motion,” she wrote. “I hope we made you proud over the past few years.”
As the final number ended and the stage lights dimmed, the message was clear: this wasn’t just a dance club. It is a place to find your people, try something new, and take a risk, whether in heels or tap shoes. The spring showcase may be over, but for the students who took the stage, the rhythm of AU in Motion won’t be fading anytime soon.
This article was edited by Jack Stashower, Penelope Jennings, and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
