UHS Dance Company’s annual showcase, “Enchanting Movements,” took place at 7:00 p.m. in the Big Theater on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27. This year’s show, consisting of twenty-five performances ranging from a variety of dance styles, required weeks of intense preparation to bring to fruition.
Dancers arrived at the Big Theatre as early as 4:30 p.m., where they did some last-minute rehearsals, ensuring that they would be sharp and ready to perform. Shortly after, the long process of getting ready began with dancers crowding into the dressing rooms to do their hair and makeup and then proceed to change into their costumes.
Junior Dasha Kazanstava, who performed in a K-pop-themed number to “Boy With Luv” by BTS, shared that the costuming process for the showcase is different than other Dance Company productions.
“Since Showcase is open to all students and not just Dance Company members, each performance group organizes their own costumes,” Kazanstava said. “My group decided to order white cargo jeans and black tank tops to match the K-pop theme of our dance.”
Costumes varied greatly based on the type of dance performed; for example, a mesmerizing ballet-style performance to “Le Corsaire Odalisque Pas de Trois” featured dancers in elegant leotards and skirts, whereas in an enthralling “Chicago” themed number, dancers Maria Wondarz and Cindy Nguyen wore dazzling flapper dresses fit for the Roaring ‘20s.
In the final minutes leading up to the curtain drop, dancers could be found stretching backstage, where they answered a few questions about the preparation that went into the showcase.
“Aside from hours and hours of rehearsal, a lot of work went on outside the studio to organize and promote the show,” Wondarz said.
As a student-led production, Dance Company members went above and beyond to ensure the showcase was a success, from organizing the dance order to making the score to handing out flyers. A lot of time was also spent on promotion, an important aspect of any successful production.
“To promote the show, we made an advertisement in Mrs. Kessler’s room, which later aired on Univision,” junior and Dance Company Publicist Elise Gillen said.
Rehearsals leading up to opening night required dancers to stay at the studio late after school, often into the night. Although shows take a lot of time and effort to put together, the dancers agreed that it’s always a fun and rewarding experience. The time spent together allows dancers to develop a strong sense of friendship with each other.
“My favorite thing [about shows] is that I get to spend so much with my best friends,” Gillen said. “Showcase is especially exciting because it’s the first show of the season.”
Showcase is an opportunity for UHS students with a passion for dance to share their abilities with the rest of the school. Anyone can audition to be a part of the showcase, making it a fantastic opportunity to show off the diverse array of talent at UHS.
“It’s really interesting to see [non-Dance Company members] style of dance, and possibly even incorporate it into my own,” Gillen said.
The show was a stunning success, with the Big Theater filled with enthused guests raving over the incredible performances. However, none of it would have been possible without the hours of behind-the-scenes work put in by the dancers and their teacher, Mr. Edward Johnson. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, this year’s Dance Company Showcase was truly “enchanting.”
