Dance students and faculty members will get a chance to show off their latest dance performances in the upcoming dance concert in El Camino’s Fall Advance Dance Concert on Dec. 1-4 in the Campus Theatre.
The show will feature two guest artist pieces, four faculty pieces, and 10 students pieces, according to Liz Hoefner Adamis.
Several of the dance genres included in the show are ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop.
This year, fliers were sent around campus in order to spread word about auditions for the show. Many dance students auditioned for a part and got in.
“I saw a flier on the wall so I auditioned and got a part in the show,” Aaron Stokes, 18, dance major, said. “I will be in three of the performances.”
During practice for the upcoming dance concert, dance students who are participating in the show were eager to perfect their dance piece.
“I hope the audience likes and gets a message out of out performance,” Taylor-Michelle Thomas, 20, dance major, said. “Each performance has a message where audience members can interpret from.”
The imagery in each performance will tackle real world problems, as well as comic relief in between. There will also be interactions between the cast and the audience.
“The variety of the show makes the show unique,” Thomas said. “It’s structured like this so it wouldn’t be monotone or boring to the audience.”
Dance students involved with the show are eager to express themselves with their performance on stage.
“I dance because I feel like I’m in a whole new world where i can express myself,” Thomas said.
Stokes also added that he began his journey as a dance major because he feels safe in a dancing environment and it allows him to express his emotions freely.
“I love dancing, because it makes me feel free,” Stokes said.
Jessica Kondrath, who is directing the show alongside Adamis, felt excited to work with the new dance students.
“I’m very proud and excited this year,” Kondrath said. “It’s an incredible experience to work with hardworking students who are eager to express themselves through dance.”
The first show for the Dance Concert is on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m., with follow-up shows on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m., with the final show on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Theatre. Tickets for the show cost $15 and can be purchased on the Center for the Arts’ website.
