I was reading a small excerpt in The New York Times a week ago and was updated on the new make-up trend for runway models this year. It seems the under-eye dark circles we tired folks at Juilliard sport are now celebrated and enhanced. You'll be able to spot all dancers, specifically the third-year and fourth-year members, for they will be "in" starting now until the annual Senior Production in April. This is a time the students learn hands-on, becoming engaged in running a full-length dance performance in the Clark Studio Theater in addition to choreographing and dancing throughout—a heavy load indeed! Courtney Blackwell, Anthony Bougiouris, Peter Chu, Laura Halm, and Ryan Lawrence are the five senior choreographers whose works will be featured on the six performances that run April 17-20. The third-year dancers have been in training for this event since September, when they enrolled in a stagecraft course taught by the highly experienced Stan Pressner. They must successfully transform themselves into lighting designers, stage managers, sound operators, and gel changers, taking responsibility for the overall flow of the show from behind the scenes.

The fourth-year dance class. (Photo by Eduardo Patino)

The fourth-year students have dedicated one day a week, under the expertise of Steven Gross, to learning the art of production and the details of running a successful show. They must partake in advertising, fundraising, program and T-shirt design, and house managing, all the while keeping a reliable budget. The first- and second-year members of the Dance Division may only envy the upper classmen's new experiences while following through with their rehearsal demands.

The five choreographers have been working hard since last summer conjuring up concepts, creating movement phrases, and selecting suitable music lasting roughly 20 minutes. Recently they have been collaborating with professional costume designers and the third-year lighting-design teams, all of whom will help the choreographers manifest their visions. The dancing members of each piece are eager to work with these visionaries and have their input in the creative process as well.

For dancers, Senior Production projects are closely related to thesis papers in that they involve focus, research, and delivery of a topic of interest during senior year. It takes a full four years, beginning with baby steps, to prepare a senior for the demands of Senior Production. Each choreographer has had up to three years of experience being involved in the Senior Production process—as an observer, dancer, and collaborator. In addition, many have taken advantage of the opportunities that Juilliard offers for ambitious choreographers to collaborate with musicians and create both solos and small ensemble work for workshop performances.

As a fellow classmate and supporter of this year's senior choreographers, it's hard not to feel like a proud mom. They have experienced four years of trial and error, facing personal fears and triumphs, technical training plateaus and advancement, along with performance exposure inside and out of Juilliard. Their minds and bodies have expanded in their capacity to create. As any artist can recall, it takes years to find an individual voice and receive the training to bring one's vision to life with articulation. These five choreographers have been patient with the process, and what comes forth in April will definitely be worth the wait.

The hours will be long this month, the focus shall be intense, and the dancers will be experiencing moments of tension and revelation throughout. It's time to uphold the tradition of Senior Production, as all dancers are eager to do their best and help the choreographers reach their goals alongside their own.

Michell Hageman is a senior dance student.