SHS presents ‘Sole Machine’

Sabrina Kooistra
Times Junior Contributor

 

Strathmore High School’s (SHS) Dance 25 and Dance 35 students presented “Sole Machine,” a high energy production with a technological theme from Jan. 7-9 at the school.
The program included 14 dancers, five students who assisted with logistical jobs, two special guest choreographers – Zaida Bahir from Hathor Belly Dance and Camille Shields from Pulse Studio – along with many other people who assisted in helping the show reach the stage.
Directed by Paula Richardson, the students expanded their knowledge of dance styles with the presentation of cane belly dancing, western, hoop, contemporary, electronic, and marionette dances, and some presented their skills with Poi, a traditional New Zealand performance art that involves choreographed movements with balls attached to strings.
Each dance had a modern, technological twist from the use of light-up poi, strobe and coloured lights, videos, shadow dancing with screens, and the various musical arrangements.
“They have created new and exciting ways to use technology – hence the name of our show, Sole Machine,” Richardson said in the director’s notes.
Several of the dances were choreographed by the students themselves and featured solos, duets, trios, and the entire dance class in unison.
“Sole Machine” was another fantastic show put on by SHS’s dance program. Overall, Richardson enjoyed producing the show and was extremely impressed with the work the students had put forward.