“One hundred years ago, five lovely sisters traveled around the world to search for the truth in the meaning of the words – Darkness, Earth, Tranquility, Flight, Love, and Innocence.”

And so begins the story of “Visions, Dreams, and Memories,” a 30-minute story ballet that Physical Health Education Instructor Pamela Lappen wrote and choreographed through a creative journey that started with City College dancers last fall.

The college’s Dance Program will present its spring dance concert “Beyond the Words” at 8 p.m. on May 7, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 8 at the Center Stage Theatre. Guest choreographers E. Bonnie Lewis, Kay Fulton, and Misa Kelly will also present new works for the first half of the show.

“It’s a journey we went through,” Lappen said. “We made it, deconstructed it, but never let go of anything.”

Last fall, students performed another chapter in the story through an outdoor performance in the Lifescape Garden, which was also captured on film. For the spring concert, the video will play behind the dancers as a representation of the afterlife.

“The story is not just steps or how high you can jump,” said student Shoshanah Kaufman, who will play the Spirit of Love. “There’s a story and characters. The acting aspect is really fun.”

The story centers on five sisters and a circus crew aboard a ship that sinks at sea. It shows the dark period of moving on to the afterlife.

“The black box theater imitates the darkness of the bottom of the sea,” Lappen said.

With the Garvin Theatre closed for remodeling, dancers will have the opportunity to showcase their steps at the more intimate Center Stage Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara.

“The theatre costs money,” Lappen said. “They have had to fundraise. They have to sell tickets.”

A sapphire and an emerald ring donated by a student’s family will also be raffled off at the show.

“It’s an awesome opportunity,” said dancer Skylar Harrison, who plays the Spirit of Innocence.

Although this is only her second semester at City College, she has danced for a professional ballet company in Dallas, Texas.

“I think it can feel awkward for some dancers, since you can see the audience react,” Harrison said.

For E. Bonnie Lewis, an instructor in the Physical Health Education Department, “it’s like coming home.” Her companies, Drama Dogs and Daughter of Zion Aerial Dance Company, have performed many times at this venue.

“The Center Stage Theatre is going to lift the concert to a whole other level,” she said. “There’s a greater sense of theatricality, drama, and fun.”

Her modern dance piece, titled “Voices Outside My Head,” involved students in the creative process of the choreography as well as the music. Lewis took students to a recording studio to create a sound montage that leads into the music of Yo-Yo Ma and the Chicago Symphony.

“I wanted to do a piece about the hidden parts of themselves, the parts that no one knows, and so the movement had to come from them,” Lewis said. “I call it our piece.”

Reaching back into the roots of the Dance Department, Instructor Kay Fulton returned this year to the dance program she originally founded. Her piece in the concert is titled “Just a Thought.”

“It’s a very straightforward modern piece,” said Kelly Hernandez, who will perform in both Lewis’ and Fulton’s dances. “It’s a great opening act.”

Misa Kelly’s “Ranunculus” will wrap up the first half of the show. She previously performed it at the COOL New York Dance Festival in New York City. Kelly took her first dance class here at City College under Kay Fulton.

“It’s a real honor to have her back here dancing with us,” Lappen said.

Tickets are $22 for general admission, $17 for seniors, and $12 for students.