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“Dancing with props”: An evening of imaginative choreography

“Dancing with props”: An evening of imaginative choreography

by Shannon Dufresne
 

As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers," but at Ursuline, spring arrived early. On Tuesday, April 21, dance students took the stage for the annual Spring Dance Festival in the Frank J. Auriana Theater, where family and friends filled the seats to cheer them on. 

This year's theme, "Dancing With Props," challenged students to build choreography around brooms, umbrellas, mirrors, and other unexpected objects. The result captivated the audience, whose "oohs" and "ahhs" were audible throughout the evening. Fifteen acts spanned a wide variety of dance styles, including contemporary, Irish Step, and Bollywood. The festival also gave student choreographers a chance to share their ideas and lead their peers on stage.

Students from all high school grade levels participated as student choreographers. Josephine Haverty-Stacke '29 created the opening number, a ballet piece set to "Cinderella" by Oliver Wallace. She used brooms to echo Cinderella's role as a servant in her own home while expanding the dancers' range of movement. Ballet's fluidity also supported the story's romantic tone, allowing performers to express emotion and embody character.

Pictured above, students in the Ballet Dance Program use brooms in their performance.


Other choreographers highlighted their own areas of expertise. Juniors Kyleigh O'Keefe and Caroline Tully choreographed and performed an Irish dance to "Better When I’m Dancing" by Megan Trainor. They brought precision and energy to a style less familiar to some in the audience.

Emily Jacob '27 and Katrina Malaickal '28 choreographed a Bollywood number to "Kalank" by Pritam, Arijit Singh, and Neeti Mohan. They used the theme to emphasize rhythm, color, and movement, painting a moving picture for the audience.

Pictured above, students in the Bollywood Dance Program dancing with colored scarves.


The largest group performance featured the hip-hop dance program, choreographed by seniors Grace Recine and Sophia Moore, who took great care to give all the dancers an opportunity to shine. Their three-song medley divided dancers into smaller groups, allowing each performer to step into the spotlight. With glowing canes, the number celebrated shared memories and brought dancers from different grade levels together. 

After the final act ended, Recine and Moore joined fellow Dance Club leaders Lucy Caltibano '27 and Julianna Gilmartin '26 to thank Mrs. Jenné Griffith of the performing arts department and all who helped bring the production to life. For the seniors, the moment was an emotional send-off and a meaningful close to their time in Ursuline's dance program. "Dancing With Props" reflected the creativity, discipline, and collaboration that define school's dance community.

Picture left to right, Dance Club leaders Lucy Caltibano '27, Sophia Moore '26, Julianna Gilmartin '26, and Grace Recine '26.

 

  • Art
  • Dance
  • Performing Arts

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