Year 7 and 8 dancers had the opportunity to perform at the Howick and Pakuranga Dance Festival on the August 6-7.They put in a lot of hard work, practicing every Tuesday lunch and on Thursday late starts since term 2. The holidays were used for practicing too, coming in twice to finish learning the dance. Then, in term 3, just a few weeks before the performance, practices took place every day at lunch, late starts and during class resulting in an amazing performance. We couldn’t have done it without the help of Miss Picot who made all of this possible.
It was our first time performing at this Dance Festival although our school had entered in JRock for the past couple of years. This year’s performance was a contemporary/lyrical dance around the theme of friendship which I had the privilege of choreographing as well as planning the theme, costume, lighting and music. And I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. The girls danced to the lyrics of “Breathe Me” by Sia which was apt and portrayed the storyline well. The lighting and costume colours helped reflect the message.
The performance was about Aimee, a quiet, shy girl who faces a huge challenge when she moves school and knows absolutely no one. While everyone is accepting and trying to welcome her, Aimee can’t seem to make any friends. Lost and confused she slowly starts to interact with the other students and her true self begins to shine through. The once unknown faces which surrounded her soon become her true inspiration.
It wasn’t just the dance which was so much fun, but the back stage experience of doing hair, makeup, costumes and dancing along to other schools music as well as playing games was just as much fun too. It was a good bonding time for the girls as a group.
Participating in this dance were eight girls: Aimee Smith, Grace Baragwanath, Kaasia McGrail, Ella Mackay, Cyprus Causer, Eva Brownrigg, Megan Bottom and Piper Hurren. And boy, they made us proud!
Sydney Causer
