By Jessica Jagger, photos by Jessica Jagger and Madeline Loff
Three classes of dancers twisted and twirled across the stage, doused in colorful lights and dressed in elaborate costumes, creating a scene before the eyes of an adoring audience. The annual PRHS dance show showcased three months of work put in by dancers in advanced and intermediate dance classes, as they held three shows, beginning on Mar 7 and ending on Mar 9.
The show consisted of 26 numbers, choreographed mainly by students in Jazz n Company. Choreographers included co-presidents Devin Hartley and Oscar Gutierrez, both of whom have been in advanced dance since their freshman years.
“It felt so amazing to have our work showcased for everyone to see. We all put in so much effort and time and the joy I feel once showtime comes in indescribable. It’s truly such a gift to get to share my art and emotions with so many people,” Hartley, who has been dancing for seven years, said.
This theme of this year’s show was “four letter words”, inspiring dances such as “This” (choreographed by Rosie Luera), “Fear” (by Brooke Corrales), “Grey” (by Griffin Benado), “Feel” (by Hartley), and “Echo” (by Gutierrez).
Gutierrez has been dancing since sixth grade, and plans to continue dancing past high school. Having helped choreograph four numbers, he dedicated weeks to the show, and his efforts were paid off by audience admiration.
“There’s a weird null after the show ends, and I can only describe it the same way you feel when your favorite show on Netflix ends. You want more of it but simply there is no more. In the end it’s all about optimism because I still have the gift of sharing a few more months with the people who put on that amazing show I’ll never forget,” he described.
Each night of the show, the Performing Arts Center had every seat filled with an adoring audience.
Credits:
Jessica Jagger and Madeline Loff