Replacing 4WRD, 4ORCE debuted Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. For the first time in over a decade, the dance program’s December performance was not a joint performance with Rocklin.
The show featured 34 dancers in a multitude of styles over the course of four shows: Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets were $8 with ASB and $10 without. The show ran their dress rehearsals Nov. 18-22 due to a scheduling conflict with preparations for the spring musical. Running about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the show featured 21 dances and had a 10 minute intermission. The performance showcased styles like hip hop, jazz and lyrical and group sizes ranging from 15 to one.
“We don’t have a lot of space in between dances anymore [compared to 4WRD], so it feels a little more rushed,” Gracie Farris said. “Except for intermission, there isn’t really a time to break. In a way, it’s not stressful, but it’s like ‘Go, go, go’ for everybody.”
Students began choreographing in September and taught a minimum of one dance in a five-day period. All choreography and most costume decisions were made by students.
“[Teaching my dance] was definitely a little stressful,” Lacee Butjen said. “I wanted to answer everybody’s questions, but I have one of the biggest dances, with 15 people in it, so there were always multiple questions. But, it was also really fun, too — getting to teach a dance I created and knowing it would be performed on a stage was cool.”
4ORCE wasn’t just new for students — it was new for Ms. Ciera Askerneese, who had never arranged a show by herself. Ahead of time, she set a number of requirements for the dancers, like assigning points for show attendance, showing up on time, having the correct costumes and other specifics to count towards a grade. However, there were a number of unforeseen challenges.
“I definitely brought some knowledge, because I’ve helped out with other schools and shows, but I’ve never done a show on my own as a head teacher,” Askerneese said. “Ticket sales was a big thing, [like] finding a platform to do that. Simple stuff, like technology with QR codes [was challenging.] Then, scheduling photo shoots for posters [and] getting posters created and really just collaborating with other teachers [wasn’t anticipated].”
Even with all the changes, there was no doubt within the dance program about putting on the show.
“I came in knowing there may not be a chance to do the collaborative work with Rocklin,” Askerneese said. “But, I definitely knew I wanted to do a show in December to give dancers the opportunity. When I spoke with the the students, we both agreed like ‘Yeah, let’s make this happen.’”
by ISABELLA TOMASINI
