UW student-choreographers will showcase their work at the annual UW Dance Ensemble beginning tonight in Meany Studio 267. The weekend-long event features works produced by both dance and non-dance majors.

Sponsored and produced by the Dance Student Association, the program allows for students of any major to present a choreographed performance to a live audience. Both group and solo pieces will feature students’ technique, style and creativity translated onto the stage.

“There [are] a variety of pieces that people can expect — from point to flags,” senior dance major Yulia Arakelyan said.

As an independent study project, Arakelyan will highlight society’s obsession with time by incorporating 35 kitchen alarms lying on stage in her piece “Take Time.”

While students like Arakelyan have prepared for months to produce a piece, some, like senior Joyce Liao, a double major in dance and accounting, found her inspiration during vacation for her solo-performance, “Over Spring Break.”

“My piece is about the excitement and anxiety approaching graduation, especially during the spring months,” Liao said.

Although many of the senior dance students have contributed pieces to this year’s UW Dance Ensemble, the program is designed for all students of any field looking to share their productions.

“There is no specific class that you need to take to be part of the program,” Liao said.

The event is similar to a friendly school talent show — one that requires no auditions — just readiness to present a completed piece regardless of style, performers said.

This year, the program will feature 14 variety performances, which will be divided into two programs throughout the weekend.

Admission is open to students and non-students alike. A $5 donation is suggested and will go towards the Dance Students Association, a student-run program that provides program support such as guest dancers and workshops for undergraduate dancers.

Reach contributing writer Janice Balangue at news@thedaily.washington.edu.