When the Washington College Dance Company gives its second semester recital, everyone knows that spring is on its way. The company performed its annual afternoon matinee for local elementary school children on Wednesday.
Tawes Theatre was filled with the clamoring of children's voices, as various elementary school students were seated. As the lights flickered for silence, some of them asked, "What's wrong with the lights?"
The first piece performed was "All that Jazz" from the musical Chicago. It featured WC dancers Jessica Cain, Jillian Fletcher, Shaina French, Sarah McLaughlin, and Emily Randow. Dance instructor Karen Smith choreographed the number.
Billie Myers's "Kiss the Rain" followed, danced by French and Fletcher.
Said French, "'Kiss the Rain' is a lyrical piece I choreographed, dedicated to the memory of my best friend and former Washington College student Brittany Salmons - it was one of her favorite songs."
Salmons died July 12, 2001 of rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. She was a coxswain of the men's rowing team.
Smith performed a tap number to George M. Cohen's "Yankee Doodle Dandy," which she also choreographed.
Jennifer Daley, Ann Lerch, McLaughlin, and French danced 112's "Dance with Me." French also choreographed the number.
She stated, "Rehearsals are hectic, trying to get everything to fit together perfectly - but it's harder to get all the dancers in the same place at the same time!
"With so many different activities that people participate in like work, clubs, study sessions, classes and other dances, it gets very complicated. But during the concert week there is a magic that brings it all together and somehow by miracle everything works out."
The dancers appreciate their company member's sacrifices.
Daley said, "Shaina was wonderful to work with in learning the 112 number, [she was] always enthusiastic and made dancing even more enjoyable than it already is! All the girls have to work tightly together to make the performance run smoothly."
Fletcher added, "I don't think being a dancer or a choreographer is easier than the other ... if you're choreographing you have more responsibility, of course, but working as a dancer in this situation - where there are very few dancers, very little time, and quite a few dances you have to learn - is pretty difficult, too."
She continued, "We've had an insane number of injury issues lately. But all of us get along and made the most of the time in the studio. It's been fun. My feet don't always think so, but I'm beginning to persuade them."
Smith choreographed "Morning Aire" by Anguun, a Celtic-inspired ballet. It featured Fletcher, French, Lerch, Randow and Katharine Werner.
Cain said, "This kind of concert is perfect for the kids. They get to be exposed to dance and get half a day off school too. It's fun to get up here and perform for them, and hopefully they enjoyed it too!"
McLaughlin said, "We've only had about two weeks to prepare, but everything has come together. I was impressed by the children's questions; they were interesting. All my dancers were great. It was fun to do something I love - and I created - for an audience finally."Ambika Vishwanath, Cain, French, Pronita Ghose, Sunipa Saha and Christine Schmidt performed a traditional Indian folk dance, "Aa Thayer Hoja," by Anu Malik. Vishwanath and Saha also choreographed the number.
Said Vishwanath, "It was a lot of work, but it was fun to teach the dance to others. Many of the girls had never done Indian dance, but the group picked it up quickly since they are really good dancers.
We had to rehearse late, due to everyone's schedules - mostly 9:30 to 11:30 every night. The kids really seemed to enjoy it, so it's all worth it," she added.
Fletcher followed with a ballet to Grieg's "Anitra's Dance," choreographed by Smith.
Vishwanath, Cain, Fletcher, French, Lerch, McLaughlin, Randow, Smith and Werner all performed and choreographed "Spheres" by Renee' Dupere. It was a rhythmic dance number involving isometric exercise balls.
The final piece of the show was a lyrical interpretation of Carly Simon's "Let the River Run." It showcased Colleen Costello, Fletcher, Lerch, McLaughlin and Randow, and was choreographed by McLaughlin.
A question-and-answer session followed the performance so the children could learn more about the dancers and dancing in general.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782