UHS Dance Company held their annual dance concert “Any Place, Any Time” on April 12, 18 and 19. The show’s theme was time travel, with the story following two girls who discover a time machine in their grandfather’s basement and are then transported through various eras. This dance performance consisted of diverse pieces, with several choreographed by dance company members, creating the perfect mix of emotive storytelling and fun dancing—a magical experience for its audiences.
“We wanted to have a narrative . . . last year, we had a theme of literature and we just choreographed dances based on [that],” senior and Dance Company Treasurer Adara Shrestha said. “This year, we wanted to have a storyline . . . two time travelers travelling through time. We still had a theme, but it was more narrative compared to the other ones.”
One strength of “Any Place, Any Time” was its storytelling and how distinct emotions were conveyed through movement. After “Prologue,” which set the expository narrative of two girls discovering a time machine and being transported through time, the show continued with the contemporary piece, “Without You – 2020,” choreographed by Shrestha, depicting isolation and a sense of abandonment during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This piece was especially memorable because it was unexpected; most time travel narratives are centered around the mid-1900s or prior, rendering this opening impactful and unique. I enjoyed the focus on solitude and longing for human connection, which was relatable and well translated through soft movements such as reaching towards each other. Another moving piece was “A Love Left Waiting – 1940s,” choreographed by junior Elizabeth Lehtinen, depicting the haunting story of the lives of three women in the 1940s who face similar fates during wartime, losing their husbands. The dancers in this piece illustrated strong acting, as they portrayed housewives embracing their husbands for one last time, waiting for them to return, and receiving a letter that their husbands had passed away.
“When I choreograph, my main inspiration is the music,” senior and Dance Company President Isabelle Nguyen said. “A lot of [my] choreographing was me finding a song that I think fits the story that I want to tell with the dance . . . and trying to find different aspects of the song that . . . I think can translate well into dance.”
While it was incredibly emotional, the show also did not fail to appeal to those looking for a fun, upbeat performance. For example, “Oops . . . You Shouldn’t Have! – 2000s,” choreographed by junior Sierra Corliss and Lehtinen, was a fun dance inspired by the 2000s trends and aesthetics, portraying a teenage slumber party. This piece was playful and lively, signaling a significant mood shift from previous pieces. “Retro Rockin’ – 1950s,” choreographed by senior Rafaela Stoianov, was also a lighthearted piece inspired by Elvis Presley’s legendary career and the simultaneous rise of the rock and roll genre in the 1950s, showcasing iconic dance moves such as the Shimmy and the Lindy Hop. Another engaging piece is “Criminal Moves – 1980s,” choreographed by senior Mersadez Piña, incorporating Michael Jackson’s signature moves, taking the audience back in time. The dancers’ dazzling, glittery costumes, criminally smooth dance moves and the microphone stand prop created an unforgettable performance.
“Our dances and music we chose for this year [compared to] last year [has more] diversity in terms of the styles and the songs,” Nguyen said.
From contemporary pieces like “The Black Death – Mid 14th Century” to the tap piece “July: They Do Not See – 1965” to the Bollywood-inspired piece “A Dream Unfolded – 1980s,” the show highlighted the creativity and unique skills of the Dance Company members with different stories and styles, creating a unique experience. All the performers brought talent and hard work on stage and helped create a fun, enjoyable performance. Overall, “Any Place, Any Time” was incredible.
