After seven months of practicing, and nine hours of after school rehearsal, all in preparation for this show. Dance I students have been practicing routines since September  to showcase to friends and family. Routines were choreographed and taught by dance teacher Mrs. Halley Crandell and by eight peer teachers.

“My favorite dance is ‘Bo$$’ because it is really fun to dance to and the choreography that Riley [Akkerman] and Abi [Thomas] made really goes with the song and is really cool,” Marielle Cocuzzi said.

When the show is in full swing, four special dances are performed by advanced dance students to give time for the Dance I students to change their costume, hair and make up. The advanced dancers had to try out for the position March 25th to get a spot for the show.

“It’s really fun because [Ella and I] are best friends and we knew wanted to choreograph a dance together and so it’s really fun to be able to pour all of our creative energy into something both of us wanted to do instead of something we had to choreograph,” peer teacher Abi Thomas said.

Second year Dance I students are in the show for a second time and have thought of new ideas and techniques how to become more efficient for applying stage makeup and hair.

“I think the show is down right fun and it’s just the differences I noticed Ms. [Halley] Crandell really stepped up the costumes this year, so shoutout to her. I notice more effort from this year to last year and I can tell people are more genuinely worried about putting on a good show,” Jillian Semple said.

This is the second Dance I Showcase that the dance department has hosted. There are many processes to get through in order to put on a smooth show, such as various full show rehearsals, hair and makeup critiques and dance edits.

“The choreography has improved because the peer teachers are getting more and more used to working with Dance I student’s so that has been a big difference. Also being able to be more innovative, this year we have more cool themes from country to ‘Thriller’ to sad dances to really happy dances. We just have a lot of variety this year,” Crandell said.

Shows are April 10 and April 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here and at the door.

by LILY JONES