The Legal Balle(Rena) 3L Rena Song writes about her experience as a member of the W&L Repertory Dance Company.

By Rena Song '25L
February 24, 2025

Balancing personal interests with law school is often emphasized, and my experience with the W&L Repertory Dance Company has proven this true. Dance has been a lifelong passion for me. I trained in ballet growing up, minored in dance at George Washington University, and performed with the GW First Ladies Dance Team. Dance has shaped my sense of discipline, creativity, and community. So when I began law school at W&L, I looked for ways to fit it into my schedule. Joining the Company has been the perfect outlet.

Under department head Jenefer Davies, the Company focuses on contemporary modern dance and performs twice a year: in the fall and winter. Last September, I auditioned for the fall concert, Dancers Create, a showcase of pieces choreographed, designed, and performed by W&L students. Though I hadn’t trained intensively in a while, I was excited to reconnect with dance by being part of two pieces.

One piece, Reflections and Refractions, choreographed by W&L junior Elise McPherson, explored the pursuit of perfection. The other, Point to Point, choreographed by guest artist Ashley Shugart, translated visual art into movement. Rehearsing each week was both a challenge and a joy, especially as I got to witness the transformation of student-choreographed works from ideas to fully realized performances, complete with costumes and lighting.

One moment that stood out to me was the run-through of Reflections and Refractions when the lighting design was introduced. The interplay of light and mirrors elevated the piece’s theme and created a striking visual experience. Seeing how all the elements coalesced to bring the choreography to life reminded me how special each component is in creating a dance.

Point to Point was interesting to work on because a string was projected in the back while we danced, and the appearance of the string influenced our movements. As I come from a primarily dance team background, the pieces challenged me to adapt to modern dance techniques, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and encouraged me to explore new ways of expression.

Admittedly, the two weeks before the show were intense. There were nightly rehearsals from 6 to 10 p.m. to incorporate costumes and lighting. But instead of overwhelming me, the structured time commitment made me more productive and helped me manage my law school responsibilities. The camaraderie with the other dancers also made the experience rewarding. Whether brainstorming movements, sharing feedback, or encouraging each other during long rehearsals, the creative collaboration energized me. By showtime, we had rehearsed so thoroughly that we could focus on dancing with each other and enjoying the moment onstage. I forgot how exhilarating it feels to have blinding lights on me while being intentional about every movement I make onstage to tell a story.

This semester, I’m thrilled to be part of two new pieces choreographed by guest artists. These works bring distinct professional styles, and while rehearsals have been physically demanding, they’ve been equally rewarding. Our next performances will be April 9–11, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Keller Theatre at the Lenfest Center. I can’t wait to see these pieces come together.

I didn’t expect to become so involved with the Company, but I’m grateful I did. Dancing has provided a refreshing break from the demands of law school, offering a chance to reconnect with my creative side in a supportive and low-stakes environment. Working alongside undergraduate dancers has been especially rewarding, as their energy, creativity, and passion have reminded me of the pure joy of doing something simply because you love it. The discipline and collaboration intrinsic to dance also align closely with the skills essential for legal work, making it a meaningful complement to my law school experience. While I’m not sure what dancing will look like after graduation, this experience has inspired me to continue finding ways to pursue it.

Balancing passions with law school is undoubtedly challenging, but carving out time for your interests and hobbies fosters balance, creativity, and unexpected fulfillment. For me, dancing with the Company has been a reminder that pursuing joy alongside ambition is not just possible—it’s essential.

This article appeared originally in The Law News, the student newspaper at W&L Law.