Graduate Student’s Dance Selected for National Festival

Jordan Prough, a Master of Fine Arts in Dance student, will have a dance she choreographed performed during the American College Dance Association’s National Festival in Washington, D.C., in May. Her performance is one of only three to be selected for the honor.

Her dance titled “Unexpectedly Expecting the Expectations of the Unexpected” was one of 12 selected from 49 works by faculty, guest artists and students at the association’s American College Dance Association’s Southeast conference gala performance as well.

The National festival will be hosted in the Gonda Theater at the University of Georgetown May 2-4.

“Being selected for nationals was surreal — I’m still not sure that I’m not dreaming,” Prough said. “I am immensely grateful to and proud of MO Dudley (her dancer, a UA dance major). Getting accepted to ACDA nationals feels bigger than me. It is a huge milestone in my career as a choreographer and I am thrilled by what it means for MO as she launches her dance career.” 

Receiving Raves and Recognition

The festival’s goal is to highlight choreographers and performers on university and college campuses across the nation. The adjudicators called Prough’s selection “undeniable” in the acceptance letter sent to Prough. 

“The raw honesty in the monologue, movement and props and staging resonates deeply, creating a shared experience where vulnerability becomes collective identity (or at least that’s what happened!),” the adjudicators wrote. “It’s a rare piece that allows the audience to breathe beyond fear and insecurity, revealing truths we often hide. When art is this transparent, it doesn’t just speak — it makes you feel. And that’s exactly what great art is meant to do.” 

Prough said that although she worked hard to have her choreography resonate with her audience, she was surprised by just how much feedback her dance received.  

“I was overwhelmed by the positive response that the work received, and the number of people who confronted me in person or messaged me on Instagram to tell me how greatly my work had impacted them,” Prough said.

“I am proud to have represented The University of Alabama’s graduate dance program well, and I am honored to have another opportunity to share my artistic voice.”