The lights dim . . . the curtain parts . . . and the performance begins! But backstage, it is chaos. Have you ever wondered what takes place backstage during a show?
UHS Dance Company’s performance, “Dancing Between the Lines,” was based on famous books including the Harry Potter series, “The Outsiders” and “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Two shows were hosted in the Big Theater on April 19 and April 26 through a donation-based system.
The dancers had practiced almost every weekday since the start of January, from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., while the brainstorming process stretched back to almost a year ago. The show was mostly student-run, although Dance Company Director Mr. Edward Johnson contributed crucial guidance in preparing for the performance.
“We’ve had some leadership within the dance company over the years where some people have [had] a really clear vision of what they would like to do,” Johnson said. “In those areas, I like to be able to step away.”
On the day of the performance, the Dance Company arrived at the UHS Theater about two hours before the show to smooth out the rough edges of their dances, organize costumes and props and complete their “show” makeup: heavy contour, bright blush, vibrant lips and accentuated eye makeup to compensate for the harsh stage lighting. When the show ultimately began, it was a mixture of control and chaos.
“There is a wide balance of absolute zen: focus and concentration and rip-roaring chaos, and everything in between,” Johnson said. “Dancers are getting focused on the production, trying to get themselves centered and ready . . . [and] right before the curtain goes up, you have people fixing things last minute, working on costumes.”
Backstage, dancers stay quiet in the dressing room and only communicate via whisper. Aided by Stage Crew, dancers help their friends with “quick changes,” which is when a dancer momentarily leaves the stage between or during dance numbers to change their costume within a few seconds. The Stage Crew also changes scenery between performances and manages lighting and music.
“I think we have our control,” senior and Dance Company President Leily Eghbali said. “We know when we’re supposed to stay inside our dressing rooms . . . but there is the chaos of coming into the bathroom and being like ‘Oh I messed up’ and hugging each other and making [each other] feel better. But it’s just a mix of both and that’s why I love it.”
Dance Company members often alternate between different numbers, which incorporate elements of tap, breakdance and contemporary dance. While every dancer has their own ways of coping with stage fright, junior Elise Gillen, who manages promotion with junior Dasha Kazantseva, simply blinds herself—temporarily, of course.
“I look at the big bright light that [shines] on my face and I don’t look at any of the audience,” Gillen said.
At the end of the show, dancers flood out the back door to greet waiting friends, family and supporters of the show, where they receive many flowers, gifts and congratulations.
“I truly found my family here,” Eghbali said. “I came into the school district, new in ninth grade, and I didn’t know anybody . . . and then [in] tenth grade I found the dance community and I found my family [here].”
After the show’s conclusion, the dancers met up in an energy circle to review their onstage performance. They discussed how it could be improved, what they liked, and what they didn’t like. Especially as “Dancing Between the Lines” marks a gradual end to the school year, many tears are shed for the graduating seniors. Finally, to celebrate the show’s success, the team heads to University Town Center to grab a bite to eat.
“We put a lot of hard work into the show, and we’re really appreciative of the people that did come to watch it,” Gillen said.
If you want to join Dance Company next year, auditions will be hosted at the UHS Dance Studio on May 17.