Dance students show their vision

Times Reporter

 

While the Strathmore High School (SHS) drama students have been working hard on their upcoming production, so have the dance students. 

December 18, 19 and 20 the Dance 25, 35 and contemporary dance 35A students will be showcasing their performance, Vision of Vintage. 

“I told them they needed to choose dance styles from the 1920’s forward because I wanted them to just explore different dance styles,” said teacher Paula Richardson. 

Richardson said the year started with the students learning a number of older styles of dance like the Charleston, the Lindy, and the Suzy Q, giving them an idea of what she wanted for the production. The students are choreographing the dances, which will be near 20 performances for opening night. 

“It’s pretty much all student choreographed. Last year I had a professional choreographer come in and over half of these guys worked with them, and that was one of the reasons why I did it,” said Richardson.

“They learned so much from him I’m hoping they run it through, and I hope they teach it to the next group. That’s kind of what this senior group is doing, is teaching this group to choreograph, and hopefully it has a bit of a ripple effect.”

The students began preparing for the December performance in September. Richardson said it could take seven to eight classes to teach the choreography, and another seven to eight to polish everything and have it run smoothly for show time. 

Richardson was also happy to have her stage set almost complete. Scott Ballance of Big Scotty Contracting built the set.  

“Scott’s done a little bit of work for me in the past, last year I asked him to help me with the drama production,” said Richardson.

“This year what I asked him to do was considerably larger than what he’s ever done for me before. He is definitely a man that gives back to the community.”

Every year the students, if they can, donate a block of approximately 20 tickets to the Lions Christmas Dinner. The SHS Leo Club prepares and serves the dinner, and then members of the Lions Club are able to attend the production afterwards. 

Tickets for the show are already on sale for $10 each, and people can either RSVP or buy in advance by calling the school at 403-934-3135.