By Bianca Mendoza
Five students of the Let’s Dance Company were given the opportunity to direct and choreograph their own performances last week at the S2 Recital Hall.
The choreographers: Michael Veluz, Myra Joy Veluz, Breanne Genite, Kristina Schramm, and Michael Vallajos, all surprised, thrilled and certainly impressed the audience with their pieces.
The lighting, costumes and choreography were professional and well thought out, leaving no doubts to the authenticity and passion behind it all.
Performances were held for two nights only, Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday the 23rd at 7 p.m. General admission was $10.
Though it was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., the first dance didn’t begin until about half an hour later.
The restless audience members spoke amongst themselves. Papers rustled and bouquets of flowers held in laps of awaiting friends and family members, filled the room with a sweet scent.
“This is the first time students will be choreographing. In past years there have been repertoires, but never student directed pieces,” said Kimberly Rabins, director.
In past year’s performances, dancers never had a chance like this. It was a chance to bring to life what they only daydreamed and fantasized of.
These pieces were certainly a fresh perspective on dance compared to past year’s performances. This fresh, young talent certainly changed the feel of the performances.
Eight dances in total; three being solos and one duet, the rest had several members of the company’s dancers bringing to life their peers vision for the performance.
Before every dance, the choreographer set the mood and discussed their concept for the dance in a prerecorded video. The video’s ending, left the theatre pitch black and silent.
Then the first notes reach the audience, the lights rise and dancers appear. They glide, twirl, and leap across the stage, entrancing everyone with their movements.
Each piece was different from the one before it, some are dramatic and abstract using pure silence in order to enhance its power and message. Others make you clap to the beat and sing along to the well-known lyrics.
In every piece the skill and passion of each dancer is apparent, the straight lines and powerful leaps, the pieces flow and ebb, each choreographer inviting and enveloping the audience. With their pointed toes, twirling skirts and pounding feet, these dancers certainly entertained and amazed the crowd.
This first time event, highlighting hardworking and passionate dancers, and bringing to life their dreams and performing before their peers, is a concept many hope to stay.
“It certainly inspires me to work harder, and hopefully get a chance to choreograph something of my own in the future,” said company member Yazmin Trujillo.
