The dance department held its first in-school performance in over 10 years Thursday, April 10. The show was a preview of the “Be Our Guest” spring dance concert, consisting of four dances: “Move” choreographed by Danelle Morgan, “Pasadena” choreographed by Tamara Dyke-Compton, “K37” choreographed by Christopher Compton, and “Passage” choreographed by Troy Powell.

In addition to the selected pieces, dance dean Heather Lescaille described the qualifications of the guest choreographers, including Morgan’s work as an assistant choreographer, dance captain, and swing — similar to an understudy — for the Rockettes; the Comptons’ work as professors at The University of Arizona School of Dance; and Powell’s work as the former Artistic Director of the Ailey II dance company and as a “master” Horton — a style of modern technique that focuses on a whole-body, anatomical approach — teacher. According to Ms. Lescaille, nine out of the 13 pieces in the show were choreographed by guest artists.

“(Working with established choreographers) professionally in the industry helps (the students) as they graduate,” Ms. Lescaille said. “It’s very collaborative and about community and working together.” 

Between pieces during the performance, Ms. Lescaille led a ballet demonstration, instructing dance seniors Peyton Ford and Parker Sheehan, dance junior Lexi Gibson, and dance freshman Jude Evard through abridged versions of barre and center. Barre is a warm-up traditionally used in ballet class consisting of combinations that each focus on an area of foundational ballet technique — Ms. Lescaille described the warm-up as “going from knees to feet to hips,” providing the French terminology for steps like“plié” and “tendu.” The demonstration also included combinations in center, such as pirouettes.

“Ballet is the foundation of the house,” Ms. Lescaille said, the “house” referring to different aspects of dance technique. “Even though not everybody likes it, it’s very important. (Barre) is not just about warming the body, it’s about training the mind to pick up things fast.”

At the conclusion of the show, dance juniors and seniors sat at the edge of the stage and took questions from audience members. They answered questions including how long they had been dancing, what their favorite styles are, and what their favorite memory in the department is. Dance senior Angelina Brennan described a memory in which Sheehan lent her pointe shoes for an audition she decided to attend 10 minutes before it started.

“(The shoes) really hurt, of course,” Brennan said, referring to the unique shape of each pointe shoe to a dancer’s foot. “But it really shows what our department is, how you can lean on everyone.”