The medieval dance involves partners interacting with minimal contact between the two and partner switches. It often can include dancers wearing traditional English garb.

Messer and Hanson, who teach classes regularly in Ann Arbor, said they are trying to establish a dance group in the Lansing area. Hanson said she hopes to continually bring a cultural experience to MSU, which she does once a month.

“The music (has) got a lot of variability and history, and there’s good exercise,” Hanson said.

Dance caller Julie Esch, said she began English country dancing in Ann Arbor and currently is practicing her “calling,” the process of calling out dances and encouraging crowd participation.

Esch said she usually doesn’t have a hard time getting people to dance because most come willing to try on their own.

This semester, RCAH freshman Angelica Snyder said she began working on the technical side of the dances, including adjusting the lighting for the stage.

“People are friendly,“Snyder said. “I like getting to see all of the different types of people who come through this theater.”

Although English country dancing moves at a fast pace, Esch said a high skill level is not required.

She said she never thought of herself as a dancer but became interested in the dance after her friends introduced her to the dance, which she labels “graceful.”

“Where you put your feet doesn’t matter as long as you end up at the right place in the end,” Esch said.