The dance department has been preparing since early September for next Friday’s winter showcase, where performers showcase their talents. In order to practice and share their fully completed pieces, official rehearsals for this event began Nov. 27 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. While many attend the dance showcase, only few witness the process and work put into this event and its rehearsals.
Andrea Williams, head of the dance department, shared her passion for teaching, embracing her students and their hard work. She described the pride she feels while preparing for such a huge event.
“It’s now their time to shine. That’s the reason why I do what I do,” said Williams.
Williams explained the process of placing different genres of dances in an order that will look pleasing. Transitions of genres such as lyrical to hip-hop must be placed carefully to engage the audience.
“I have to create a timeline and make sure that it flows so that there’s not one sad song then all of a sudden hype hype hype. So I have to see if I want a sassy song and then hype and bring it down. I have to create a pattern for the audience to feel as they’re watching,” said Williams.
Dub. C, a group that is selected based on auditions, hosts the showcase since these performances are part of their final grade. These dancers also perform at rallies, usually to hip-hop beats.
¨If it wasn’t for Dub. C, I wouldn’t have a winter showcase,¨ said Williams.
The showcase also includes selected members in other dance department classes who auditioned, but are not obligated to participate for a grade.
The effort put into rehearsals comes with chaos. This can be a lot to handle for the dance department.
(Angelica Jacobo)
“You see a lot of running around back and forth. ‘Who’s after this person?’ ‘Okay, it’s us, we’re after this person, they’re after them, which means we have two numbers to get ready, get dressed, change our hair, do our makeup and this and that,’” said Williams.
Behind all of the hard work, mistakes and stress of rehearsing and preparing for the showcase, there’s a special bond and the fun that is created within rehearsals. Despite arranging, organizing, and rehearsing, dance department members stay connected and social.
“You get a lot of the bonding, you get to mess around a lot of inside jokes come in during rehearsals,” said Williams.
Dance department President Jessie Guerrero explained the work she and other dancers put into rehearsals and described the experience of what goes on behind this process. There are benefits from the preparation, the showcase and the dance department overall, such as dancers meeting and connecting with fellow dancers despite the busy environment.
“You meet people you wouldn’t expect to meet behind the scenes of all of it,” said Guerrero.
Many Dub. C members are involved in other programs, but every member must prioritize academics while also focusing on preparation for the showcase.
“I have a planner and I set schedule times to balance my academics and extracurriculars,” said Guerrero.
She advised those struggling with dance, whether or not they are in the showcase, just beginning dance, or not starting yet, to be confident in themselves and their talent.
“Us dancers are not great because of our technique or how long we’ve been dancing, We are great because of our passion,” said Guerrero.
The winter dance showcase will take place Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in the gym.
