Poms

This year at the Dance Show, varsity Poms performed a routine that they spent a lot of time perfecting. They danced to Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful People”, a routine they performed at the fall sports assembly.

Co-captains Maddie Kodros and Casey Hamilton spent the week before the show making sure the girls were prepared, practicing and rehearsing every day after school leading up to the performance.

“I was excited for the show because it is a time where our entire team is able to bond even more and have fun together spending time during rehearsals when we are not practicing,” Kodros said.

According to Hamilton, Coach Julie Smith played a huge role to keep the girls motivated. Being supportive and giving good advice helped the squad feel prepared.

“She always tells us to ‘hit it’ before we go on, which basically means to just ‘sell it’ to the crowd by making sure we hit all the movements,” Hamilton said.

Along with Smith’s support and advice, junior Shayne Turpin felt that the captains did their best to get the Poms pumped before they stepped out on stage.

“We usually, before a performance, get in a circle,” Turpin said. “[Hamilton and Kodros] motivate us and tell us we’re going to do great so that always helps me out a bunch [with my nerves].”

Turpin, who has performed in the Dance Show for the past two years, feels the Dance Show is a lot different than most of their performances.

“I think all of us are so used to performing during football games or basketball games and for competitions,” Turpin said. “The lights and everything [at the Dance Show] makes it a more fun experience [but at the same time] it was almost more nerve-wracking because you can’t see the audience’s faces.”

Orchesis

Bonnie Lasky, director of the Dance Show and sponsor of the Orchesis Dance Club, worked with the coaches and sponsors of Poms and De La Cru. Lasky made sure the teams had a smooth transition incorporating their routines in the show.

According to Orchesis captains Lindsay Lyhus and Mackenzie Barnes, a lot of work was put into rehearsals. Orchesis is a non-audition club, so anyone can join. It provides a non-competitive environment where students have the opportunity to express their passion for all styles of dance.

According to Lyhus, since the Orchesis members choreograph the dances, there are opportunities for different styles in the show such as pointe, hip hop, jazz and modern.

Barnes, who has been on Orchesis since her freshman year, agrees that Orchesis provides great opportunities for those who share the same passion for dance.

“There are a lot of people who love to dance but haven’t had enough experience to be on the dance teams at our school,” Barnes said. “Orchesis is there to give people an opportunity to do what they love without a ton of experience.”

To prepare for the Dance Show, Orchesis practiced every Monday and Wednesday. The week prior to the performance, dancers stayed after school every day going over routines and making sure they had each dance perfected. According to Barnes, a lot of time and effort was put into the Dance Show ensuring that it was the best it could be.

Performing in seven dances throughout the night, this was Barnes’ last time dancing with Orchesis. Barnes explained the rewarding feeling she got when dancing in front of an audience.

“It’s really awesome; you get this rush of adrenaline,” Barnes said. “You’re nervous right before you get on stage but [my adrenaline] kinda just takes over. […] It’s really awesome to feel that all my work paid off.”

De La Cru

Throughout the night, De La Cru performed three pieces in the Dance Show.

Senior Hannah Russell, first year De la Cru member, compares the Dance Show to most of their performances. According to Russell, the audiences’ reactions play a huge role in how the dancers perform.

“It’s definitely a lot different preforming for parents than it is performing for the students,” Russell said. “With the
students you have a lot more cheering and you just feel more pumped up.”

Before going out on stage, Cru members pumped each other up with a group cheer. Being De La Cru’s last performance of the year, Russell  feels bittersweet about the Dance Show.

“This was my first Dance Show and sadly my last,” Russell said. “But I’m just so happy [because] we worked our butts off [and it all paid off].”

According to co-captain Sierra Smith, each routine was choreographed by different members. Before the big night, De La Cru spent every day after school practicing.

“As dancers, we are always excited to perform in front of a crowd,” Smith said. “We were looking forward to performing […] to an audience who fully appreciates the art of dance.”

Seconds after performing Cru’s very last dance, Russell was filled with excitement and delight. Overall, she was very pleased with the outcome of the Dance Show.

“It felt amazing,” Russell said. “[…] It was definitely a lot better than I expected.”