The Dance Company of Notre Dame is returning for its first major production of the year tonight, as the annual Winter Showcase show seeks to outdo their impressive and beautiful performance last year.
After months of preparation and constant rehearsal and attention to detail, the Dance Company has assembled a new group of artists, performers who bring to life the music behind each of its choreographies. Under the direction of president Kelsey Richards, the Dance Company, this year's production is sure to make for another exciting, passionate exhibition of dance.
"[With this year's performance], you'll see a lot of the same styles of dance," sophomore dancer Claire Magnuson said. "But I think with every new semester, the dancers get more and more creative with their choreography and take more risks with their music choices."
An intriguing take from the returning performer, as last year's performance already seemed to make a point of strong song choices and powerful performances, as music choices such as "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran were strengthened and livened by the emotion and graceful force of last year's core of dancers.
This year's core, however, seems stronger than ever, as the support and passion among the dancers seem to feed off of each other and enhance each others' abilities, something which Magnuson eludes to being the very nature of the Dance Company itself. As much as the members learn from the technique classes offered to them every week, the true power of the Dance Company lies in its ability to foster an environment where the dancers are supportive of each other.
"Each year you see new people bringing forth their new choreography and I think we all inspire each other with lots ideas for new choreography or music choices or ideas for new pieces," Magnuson said.
After seeing brief snippets at the beginning of the semester, the dances all come together for the showcase.
"The choreographers' pieces mean a lot to them, and everybody's genuinely excited to watch all the routines at the showcase," she said.
Despite the demand for such great attention to detail, and a natural necessity for immense dedication and faithful practice and precision, the Dance Company members are always looking forward to improving their technique and grow as dancers.
Even more, to many the Dance Company provides a sanctuary for its members, a place of comfort away from the stresses of schoolwork and of their own personal forms of struggle and hardship. The Dance Company is a means for its performers to transcend daily living and truly make art on stage, an opportunity for each of the dancers to emphatically express themselves - often without even having to say a word.
The Dance Company of Notre Dame's Winter Showcase will run tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in Washington Hall. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
Contact Miko Malabute at
mmalabute@nd.edu
