The lights blaze as we step out onto the marley platform. For a split second, our minds go blank, and we feel an intense pounding in our chests. The smell of hot rosin mixed with sweat fills our noses immediately. Our pupils dilate, and just beyond the platform’s edge, hundreds of heads come into a faint focus. Suddenly, the music booms, and our muscles take over. We transform; we are entirely ourselves, present and in the moment. As the notes carry our feet through the choreography, we know nothing but our bodies in space. In our dreamlike state, we hear the roar of hands clapping, and our legs fold into a bow. For those two minutes on stage, we are connected to something larger than ourselves: the audience, the choreographers, and the musicians. We are at once whole, free, and powerful.
This feeling is a culmination of months of late-night rehearsals, choreography sessions, and sore muscles. Unlike the Winter Dance Ensemble, which is composed primarily of outside choreography, the Spring Showcase features original works by students in the Intermediate and Advanced classes as well as the Dance Club. This year, the advanced class is home to six seniors: Fiona Chou, Evelyn Doogue, Ashley Triumph, Tatsha Kumthampinij, Meredith Werblow, and me, Molly Wynne. For us seniors, this showcase represents the culmination of our Taft dance experience. As we reflect on our years in the studio, it is certainly true that the hours of practice stand out, but even more enduring are the friendships and deep bonds we’ve built through movement.
I believe I can speak for all of us when I say that the dances we will perform this May are a testament to the love, trust, and commitment we share. Each of us will perform a repertory solo, choreographed by outside artists as well as Ms. Surber and Dr. Benedict. In addition, we each choreographed a group piece. Fiona brings dynamic energy to a playful jazz duet. Tatsha and I created a contemporary piece exploring memory, danced alongside five other seniors. Meredith and Evelyn offer a bold, stylized burlesque jazz number that radiates empowerment. Ashley did a creative contemporary piece full of groove and individuality. Tatsha and I will also perform an original duet. The intermediate class will perform a trio, and the dance club will perform an original number.
Although the showcase is only about an hour long, with each piece lasting just a few minutes, we’ve been rehearsing since early March. As choreographers, we’ve also taken on the challenge of shaping the performance beyond the movement, finalizing lighting, costumes, and music edits. At last year’s graduation, Mr. Becker mentioned how Tiffany Zong ’24 looked as she watched her choreography on stage: focused, proud, and a little nervous. I understand that now. There’s a unique pressure and satisfaction that comes with seeing your work take shape in real time.
This year’s show is at 7pm on Sunday, May 18, just a week before the Class of 2025 graduates. For those of us finishing our time at Taft, the showcase marks a meaningful end to years of practice and collaboration. We’ve put a lot of time, energy and joy into this performance and hope to see you there! If you cannot make it in person, be sure to check out the recording which will be posted on the Taft Vimeo after the show.