Clovis East High School students transfixed audiences with their 17th Annual Dance Gala, “Cinema to Stage,” over the March 22-23 weekend at Clovis North’s Shaghoian Concert Hall.
Led by Dance Director, Vanessa Gonzalez, routines were choreographed to music from favorite movies, including “Toy Story,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Harry Potter,” “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Greatest Showman” and “Moulin Rouge,” among others. The audience watched as a movie clip appeared on screen, followed on stage by the dance performance for that particular movie’s song.
Students from all high school grade participated in the performances; all but five received the majority of their dance training with Gonzalez. The talent, passion and grace of the performances gripped the audience and resulted in spontaneous cheers and applause. Routines included gymnastic skills, solo performances, a wheelchair dancer and onstage singers. Costumes were skillfully used to create an effect and set the mood.
“This has been a whirlwind of choreography, costumes… a true labor of love by this company of dancers,” said Gonzalez. “They took this theme and created a show that will give you a new perspective on the scores and soundtracks of the films you love.
“Student choreography went through an audition process where they pitched the idea for their pieces and then showed me a selection of choreography. I chose the pieces that best represented the theme as well as level of preparedness. There were also six larger pieces choreographed by me.
“Each student choreographer was in charge of setting rehearsal times, managing content, music and the dancers they chose to be involved. I only stepped in to aid artistic vision or scheduling conflicts.”
Even though this was the season’s last large show for Wolfpack Dance, additional content will be available on social media. Follow Instagram @dancerepce for the “Studio Series” which will be out soon.