Inside the intimate space of UC Santa Cruz’s Theater Arts Second Stage on Saturday night, a talented group of dancers, choreographers and creative designers put on a gorgeous exhibition of contemporary dance. “Random with a Purpose XXXIII: The Calling” featured 10 dance performances that incorporated a variety of dance styles including hip hop, lyrical and even tap dance styles. Emily Pflieger directed the series, choreographed the opening piece and danced in three performances. Her own dance piece, “The Calling,” is a passionate and energetic celebration of creative inspiration. In this work, the dancers are exclaiming: This is what it feels like to want to make art!

Viewing contemporary dance is similar to looking at abstract art: the viewer is given space to contemplate color, light, form and to interpret meaning from the work. What isn’t explicitly stated can be luxuriously implied. Instead of story, there is choreography. Instead of dialogue, there is gesture. To truly appreciate these dance compositions, you have to open your mind to these differences. If you are expecting narrative, it will likely frustrate you. If you can go with the “Ebb and Flow,” as the second piece is called, then it draws you into its rhythm.

When you view the performances with an open mind, you enter into a kind of dream-like reverie, as suggested by one of the dances, titled “I Entered a Dream & am Never Coming Back.” The interplay of light and dark, of individual movement and collective action, of sound and shape give the audience a range of emotional experiences. Like listening to music in another language, tone can communicate feelings. Through artful suggestions, this piece expresses the emotional experience of striving to be an artist in a world dominated by corporate ideals.

The lighting for the entire production is phenomenal. Making ample use of silhouette, the background is often brightly lit with different vibrant hues turning bodies into shadows like figures in front of a sunset. This vivid high contrast design gives way to subtle lighting on the bodies with costumes carefully chosen for texture and color. Some dances are earth toned, others are red and black. Like with painting, the color design creates its own meaning. The creative pattern of the entire show is powerful and pleasing to view.

The final piece, “Someone in the Crowd,” breaks from the pattern with a performance that incorporates tap dancing and tells more of a narrative than the other works. Using a song from the musical “La La Land,” this ensemble creates their own hopeful story of taking a chance on yourself against all odds.

The theme that binds the collection of 10 dances together is the question of what it means to be an artist in today’s world. Part fiery affirmation, part eco-manifesto, part surrealist pastiche, this theme plays through the night. If you or your loved ones are interested in dance, this performance is not to be missed. For tickets, you can visit tinyurl.com/29b97seh.