Let’s hear it for the boys

Aryssah Stankevitsch 

Times Reporter 

 

On Oct. 29 and 30, Strathmore High School’s Grade 10 dance classes will be performing everything they’ve learned in class in two separate, different recitals. 

The theme of the show is “Let’s Hear It For The Boys”, which is based on each number having a song played that is a male lead.

The course credit is ten weeks long, with roughly 16 students in the two classes practicing 6-7 times a week. Teacher Paula Richardson introduces the dancers to everything from hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, folk, and even belly dancing (for the girls -the boys learn poi instead).

“In Dance 10, we try to expose them to as many different styles as we can; usually we get a professional or two to come in and work with them, from Expressions Dance Gallery,” Richardson said. “Part of their assignment is choreographing their own piece. The students learn how to do costume changes really fast, backstage in the dark.”

Richardson hopes to provide the Grade 10’s with basics they can build on, and develop in Grade 11 and Grade 12, but feels the class gives much more than just that.

“One of the biggest things this gives to kids is a solid dose of confidence. A lot of these kids have never performed in front of an audience before, and it’s terrifying for them to think about,” Richardson said. “They get one show, that’s it, then we’re done; but at least 80 to 90 per cent of them come back and say, ‘I wish we could do another show’. They learn so much in that show, and they gain so much confidence that they start to have fun.”

“Let’s Hear It For The Boys” plans to be just under an hour, with roughly 15 numbers, depending on how many students group themselves together in duets or larger groups. Tickets go on sale at SHS around 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:45 p.m.. The show begins at 7 p.m., with the $5 ticket price going towards hiring the professional dancers and the students’ costumes.

“Hopefully, from a program designer end of it, I hope that I leave with a sense of I want to do this again, so I see them again in Grade 11 and Grade 12,” Richardson said. “The fine arts program is really strong here at Strathmore High.”