Who the Heck is Dancing at Pwall? — An Overview of the U-M Dance Community by Will Peng

 Who the Heck is Dancing at Pwall? — An Overview of the U-M Dance Community

Written by Will Peng

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor 

Undergraduate Student (Senior)

Taipei, Taiwan

It might just be a few years ago, but 2021 was a different time at the University of Michigan. The school was in limbo. No one knew exactly how long the pandemic would go on for. Quarantine, masks, saliva tests – as an international student excited for college, I felt like I was robbed of a true freshman experience. It was hard to make friends in online classes. Sure, I knew a few peers from my hometown, but living in North Campus meant that I was alone for the most part (my roommate moved out midway through the fall). I was looking desperately for a place to belong. 

The turning point came during Festifall, when a senior grabbed me aside and encouraged me to go to pwall if I was interested in street dance. Pwall? What even is that? Well, I had been trying to get into dance on my own because being a couch potato all day during lockdown wasn’t the way forward. So, eager to participate in an extracurricular where I can meet new people, I decided to check it out. Little did I know that in the next four years, I would call pwall my second home. 

Snapshot of the pwall community, 2025

Let’s take a step back. What is pwall? Short for the Posting Wall, it is a wide hallway located at the ground floor of Mason Hall with windows that look out onto the Diag. During the day, it is a place for students to post all kinds of social and political messaging, as well as a center to advertise events in academics and the arts. After sunset, however, the windows turn into massive mirrors vital for dance teams rehearsing their routines. A passerby may find the place quite chaotic as teams scramble to claim windows. If you ever wonder who the heck these people are and how in the world they can endure practices late into the night, do not fret: let me give you an overview of the talented pwall dance community:

The usual suspects

To my knowledge, pwall was built in 2003, but the dance scene here goes further back. ElementOne (E1), a breakdancing team founded in the mid-90’s, is the oldest dance team on campus. As street dance became nationally and globally recognized throughout the ‘90s and early ‘00s, more dance teams were formed in Michigan. FunKtion is umich’s only all-male open style dance team, known for their unique blend of hype and humor, as well as their emphasis on brotherhood and unity. They are close with their sister team EnCore, who also take pride in a tightly-knit sisterhood as they bust out high-energy, feminine dance moves on stage. And of course I could not forget Dance 2XS Michigan, a chapter of the pre-professional hip-hop dance company Dance 2XS International, which also has chapters in other universities around the Midwest. They are filled with the best dancers on campus, most of whom are from the Dance Department – facials, groundwork, acrobatics, they have it all!

These teams are the frequenters of pwall. Most weeknights, if you happen to pass by Mason Hall, you will catch many, if not all of them practicing. 

Pictured: ElementOne (top left), Funktion (top right), Encore (bottom left), Dance 2XS Michigan (bottom right)

The ones with props

At certain times of the year, you might notice props at pwall, such as fans, chinese yoyos, or even bamboo piles. For the most part, these are brought by teams affiliated with cultural organizations in preparation for their performances. rXn, the Umich Chinese Student Association’s dance group, choreograph fights with model spears and sticks as part of their annual showcase. The dance team under the Filipino American Student Association utilizes long bamboo piles to practice tinikling, a traditional Filipino folk dance. On a grander scale, the Vietnamese Student Association has subteams that cover both traditional and commercial styles for their annual showcase named DVN. There are non-cultural teams who use props as well, most notably Revolution with their Chinese yoyos and Photonix with their glowsticks. Together, they host their annual showcase Yotonix every spring. 

Due to their affiliation, these teams are so big, chances are some of your friends will be on one. Be sure to support them by going to their showcases!

Pictured from left to right: rXn showcase, DVN, Yotonix

The K-poppers

Heading into the 2010s and ‘20s, Kpop has become an undeniable force in the worldwide dance scene. With it came Michigan’s vibrant kpop cover teams. Female Gayo, sponsored by the Korean American Student Association, is known for their sharp, powerful covers of the trendiest kpop choreographies. K-Motion, an all-girl, multicultural lineup, offers more diversity in their song choices with their clean, fun, and exciting style. Daebak 3, the only all-male kpop cover team on campus, can be as cute, charming, or charismatic as you wish, keeping followers on the edge of their seats. On top of extremely well-run social media pages giving each member their spotlight and lengthy, notoriously rigorous practices, the three come together as K-Gayo-3 every winter with a dazzling set at Dance Mix. 

With the advent of TikTok and Hallyu, kpop is growing ever more popular. As a side effect, the kpop dance teams have the most competitive auditions at pwall, with acceptance rates as low as 1 in 25 at times. Albeit harsh, it is the only way, they would argue, that makes setting schedules and dance formations possible. 

K-Gayo-3 @ Dance Mix (taken by Ananya Kedia)

The limited edition

One of the most beautiful things about all these teams practicing in the same space is the frequent occurrence of short term project teams, often created by dancers from existing teams who would like a separate space to experiment and grow with each other. Recent ones, the AfterParty and the Untitled Collective, put together some of the most creative, intricate, and well-paced sets this university has ever seen.  

Although these teams never run for more than a couple of years, the fact that dancers were able to coalesce, choreograph, practice, and perform all within a few months goes to demonstrate just how amazingly close and collaborative this community is. 

The AfterParty (left, taken by Tess Crowley), The Untitled Collective (right, taken by Ananya Kedia)

Major performances

My words do not capture the brilliance of these teams – you must see them in person. There are three big showcases during the school year. Barnite, organized by Dance 2XS Michigan, involves the best Midwest dance teams tearing Necto Night Club apart every semester. The Generation Asian Pacific American Show (GenAPA) features many cultural groups mentioned. Last but not least, around mid- to late-March, catch the largest student run dance show in Michigan, Dance Mix, at Power Center. 

These shows are usually scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights. In the weeks leading up to them, teams dedicate themselves to intensive rehearsals at pwall, often practicing until nearly midnight to deliver exceptional performances. Even though attending 8am classes red-eyed definitely isn’t the most enjoyable thing, the thrill of performing and satisfaction of leaving a legacy makes the toil all worth it.

What made me stick around?

Whether you're an experienced dancer or a complete beginner, pwall has something for you. I am perhaps the best walking example: pwall kickstarted my dance journey, and in the past four years, I went from struggling to do a body roll to coleading multiple dance teams. For a shy, confused foreigner, pwall was everything I could have hoped for. People do not care about where you’re from or what you’re studying – the only thing that matters is that you are here to dance, make friends, and have fun. Everyone takes responsibility in fostering a lively, supportive environment as a temporary escape from school and life. Over time, dance turned into not just stress release but also a form of expression for me. 

If you and your friends are interested in pwall or dance in general, give the teams a quick search on Maize Pages, follow them on social media, and come find them at Festifall during the first week of school. Be on the lookout for information regarding auditions as well as open classes throughout the school year. Next time you pass by pwall, don’t be shy, come say hi!