“Today we’re going to dance,” she said, pressing the play button on her portable stereo.

Nervous laughter filled the room as Moore, a Master of Education student in the Boyer College of Music and Dance, led the class in choreography set to a jazzy tune from the 60s. Most students caught on immediately, following her lead, while others took some time to find their groove.

Without hesitation, the students made their way to the atrium of the Tyler School of Art, where they performed Moore’s choreography in what she likes to call a Random Act of Dance (R.A.D).

R.A.D attacks have been cropping up in classrooms and common areas across the campus —  and they aren’t just for students. Moore hopes to the entire campus community will get involved.

“During the summer I began focusing on the idea of creating something, a sole idea or effort, a simple moment in time that would include, involve and connect various and diverse populations,” she explained.

She started staging dance attacks in general education courses this fall. Although Moore is a founding member of the Bill T. Jones dance ensemble, she says a background in dance is not a prerequisite

“It’s really for everyone, it’s about having fun,” agreed Janis Moore Campbell, associate director of the Center for Student Professional Development at the Fox School of Business, after a recent attack.

Through R.A.D., Moore hopes to spread the fun of collective dancing on campus and around the city.  

“The idea is to have students and the community at large take part in a shared experience while learning the importance of dance in society,” she said. “There’s power in numbers. It’s about creating a sense of community and an atmosphere of fun.”

Moore’s next dance attack is scheduled to take place before Thanksgiving. For more information check the RAD2008 fan page on Facebook.