It’s nearly midnight at Cal Poly, but at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) loading docks, the music hasn’t stopped.
Illuminate, Cal Poly’s largest student-run dance showcase hosted by the dance team, United Movement, brings together dozens of performers representing diverse cultures for two shows on the PAC stage. While audiences see a polished production, the performance is backed by months of preparation, long rehearsals, and extensive student coordination.
For animal science senior Rae Flores, rehearsal nights often stretch into early hours of the morning.
“Depending on what piece you’re in, you’ll stay and clean that piece until they say we can leave,” Flores said. “But we try to be out of there by 2 a.m.”
Balancing late-night rehearsals with full-time coursework can be demanding, but Flores said the pressure sharpens her overall focus.
“For me personally, when I know I’m super busy, and I have time to do work in school, I’m somehow able to lock in more,” she said.
Despite the long hours, Flores said the atmosphere and community are what keep all the dancers motivated.
“The energy is just always there,” she said. “Even at 1 a.m., when everyone’s tired, we’re always just like ‘Yeah, we did it. That’s one more day that we’ve completed.’”
While dancers refine choreography, Illuminate’s directors coordinate the logistics behind the scenes and collaborate with the other dance organizations on campus.
Co-director and business administration junior Jordan Hidalgo said the Performing Arts Center (PAC) must also be booked well in advance.
“This date [for Illuminate] has actually been booked since our freshman year, and we are currently booking for next year because of the semester change,” Hidalgo said.
The production is organized through multiple committees, each responsible for a different aspect of the show. Choreographers lead the dance committee, while the logistics committee manages operations on show day and during technical rehearsals.
“This year, we’ve had 30 people join committees, which is a lot, and we love it,” Hidalgo said. “We’ve been meeting since November, and we meet for an hour after our board meeting.”
Nearly every component of Illuminate is student-run, including its technical production. Students manage audio mixing, lighting design, media checks, and graphics, highlighting the organization’s hands-on approach.
Two nights on stage are the result of months of rehearsals, planning and collaboration. For United Movement, Illuminate is an opportunity to perform and lead a production that reflects their love for dance, culture and community.