Many clubs at WHS have had to find new and creative ways to reinvigorate their student organizations in the years following the pandemic. After changes in leadership and a restructuring of the club’s performance goals, WHS Dance Company held their first showcase of the 2023-24 school year on March 1 in the health room. Unlike previous years, the performance was followed by an open conversation to encourage feedback from the audience about the dances afterwards. Members of Dance Company hope to continue this format in the future to inspire more collaboration between performers and audience members.
Junior Sophie Murray choreographed both of the dances for the performance, something she was not used to in her past years of being in the Dance Company. However, she welcomed the challenge to develop unique, engaging choreography to match the selected songs.
“The hardest part of creating a dance is trying to think out of the box with my moves and not just having the same simple moves,” Murray said. “I was really trying to just impress the audience in a creative way.”
The Walpole Dance Company performed two performances from the songs “All For Us” and “Mount Everest”, both by the artist Labrinth. The songs were both from the show “Euphoria”, a popular show among many teenagers. Their new dance coach, Molly Rockwood, wanted members to choose songs they were familiar with so they could emphasize the meaning behind each one. The songs contained upbeat and modern aspects that were reflected in their dancing.
“People take it more seriously when they like the songs and can relate to the meanings of the song,” Murray said.
Senior Kaitlyn Holland is team captain of the company after participating in the group since her freshman year. She has faced many changes with the company, especially when the pandemic hit her freshman year. However, Holland enjoyed being able to directly hear feedback from the audience for the first time this year.
“A lot of hard work goes into making these dances, but I had the amazing chance of meeting really nice people and our performances make everything feel worth it,” Holland said.
The Walpole Dance Company will have another show in April, with more dances that they have been practicing on since early this year. The dancers hope to build off of the momentum of their first performance to create an event that will entertain and inspire audience members.
“You have to stay committed, to always practice, and just to never give up”, Murray said to the underclassman in dance or students interested in joining the WHS Dance Company.
