Annual dance concert embraces "The Human Condition"
By Danielle Pigneri, Performing Arts faculty
The fall dance concert, titled "The Human Condition," has been a journey in personal growth and development for each student involved in the process. The human condition is defined as “the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality.” Each dance captured some element of this experience, communicating the theme through both subtle gestures and large sweeping dance movements, and underlying thematic elements.
In the beginning of the school year, juniors and seniors in the Advanced Dance class were invited to propose choreography concepts for individual pieces for the dance concert. From those ideas emerged seven different pieces from eight student choreographers ranging in styles from contemporary, hip hop, tap, and Indian dance. In addition to five faculty-choreographed pieces, students had the unique privilege of working with two guest choreographers. The opportunity to work with outside professionals added greatly to the experience of the students and provided even more diversity to the show. Laura Berg, a BFA graduate of CalArts, and Ericalynn Priolo of Pasadena-based Lineage Dance Company, set contemporary dance pieces on advanced dancers.
Each dance class rehearsed one ensemble piece for the show and additional faculty-, guest- and student-choreographed pieces weekly. Student choreographers learned how to be student leaders and communicate their vision to their peers while choosing their own costumes and lighting design. Sarah O., a junior student choreographer shares, “I feel that the friendships I’ve created with my classmates helped me to grow significantly. I am extremely thankful to be a choreographer and am excited to spotlight the other girls in the tap piece.” The cast consists of 50 dancers, featuring dancers from dance class levels one through four, as well as tap class, supported by a Tech Crew managing lighting design and running the light and sound boards.
The Performing Arts Department was pleased to once again partner with the Girls' Service League and raise funds through ticket sales and silent auction for The Elizabeth House, a Pasadena organization that supports homeless women and children.
Enjoy this slideshow from the performances.
Back
The fall dance concert, titled "The Human Condition," has been a journey in personal growth and development for each student involved in the process. The human condition is defined as “the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality.” Each dance captured some element of this experience, communicating the theme through both subtle gestures and large sweeping dance movements, and underlying thematic elements.
In the beginning of the school year, juniors and seniors in the Advanced Dance class were invited to propose choreography concepts for individual pieces for the dance concert. From those ideas emerged seven different pieces from eight student choreographers ranging in styles from contemporary, hip hop, tap, and Indian dance. In addition to five faculty-choreographed pieces, students had the unique privilege of working with two guest choreographers. The opportunity to work with outside professionals added greatly to the experience of the students and provided even more diversity to the show. Laura Berg, a BFA graduate of CalArts, and Ericalynn Priolo of Pasadena-based Lineage Dance Company, set contemporary dance pieces on advanced dancers.
Each dance class rehearsed one ensemble piece for the show and additional faculty-, guest- and student-choreographed pieces weekly. Student choreographers learned how to be student leaders and communicate their vision to their peers while choosing their own costumes and lighting design. Sarah O., a junior student choreographer shares, “I feel that the friendships I’ve created with my classmates helped me to grow significantly. I am extremely thankful to be a choreographer and am excited to spotlight the other girls in the tap piece.” The cast consists of 50 dancers, featuring dancers from dance class levels one through four, as well as tap class, supported by a Tech Crew managing lighting design and running the light and sound boards.
The Performing Arts Department was pleased to once again partner with the Girls' Service League and raise funds through ticket sales and silent auction for The Elizabeth House, a Pasadena organization that supports homeless women and children.
Enjoy this slideshow from the performances.
Resources
Policies
©2024 Polytechnic School. All Rights Reserved