Lights dim, music swells, and dancers take the stage at Northwestern University’s Josephine Louis Theater, ready to bring science to life through movement, senior and guest dancer Manuela Robles-Berthier said. 

Evanston Dance Ensemble’s (EDE) newest production, Breakthrough!,  occurred from April 3-6, featured seven original pieces inspired by scientific concepts, exploring topics such as the Fibonacci sequence, extreme weather, and Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machine, Robles-Berthier said. Even though her dance experience at South has been limited, Robles-Berthier credits South for shaping the skills that have helped her succeed in a pre-professional company like EDE, she said. 

“Soft skills necessary to succeed in a professional company—proper communication, an inclusive attitude, and a growth mindset—have all been fostered during my time at South, especially in STEM classes,” Robles-Berthier said.

Breakthrough!’s theme of science and exploration resonates deeply with Robles-Berthier, who was drawn to the show not only as a dancer but as a future scientist. She was brought on as a guest artist and feels especially connected to the central piece of the show, Leonardo Da Vinci,  which is inspired by his life.

“[This] piece dives into Da Vinci’s fascination with the science behind human anatomy and the beauty of his art,” Robles-Berthier said. “Our bodies serve as both mechanisms of movement and as pieces of art themselves, something I am fascinated by.”

Artistic Director Enid Smith developed the pieces for the show and sees the fusion of science and dance as a way to challenge perceptions of both disciplines.

“Scientists are usually seen as very different from artists, but really, the most influential scientists throughout history are the ones who have dared to question the status quo and look at things in new ways, which is exactly what great artists and dancers do,” Smith said in the EDE overview. “In this show, we use dance to pay homage to some of the great scientists throughout history.”