An engaging display of bold musical choices and electrifying choreography is the only way I can describe this year’s Orchesis Dance Company showcase Unwritten in a single sentence. Through multiple weeks of preparation, dances ranged from hip-hop to jazz, and from Bollywood to contemporary. Overall, Orchesis put on an outstanding performance, filling every second of the show with raw emotion.
To explain the theme behind the show, the Orchesis officers gave a speech to the audience after their opening number to “Breaking Dishes” by Rihanna. The three of them, consisting of senior Teia De Mesa, junior Ava Flynn, and sophomore Zachary Yee, spoke on how they believed Unwritten perfectly embodied the very essence of being a high school student.
“Unlike this script, our stories aren’t quite written yet,” De Mesa said.
One aspect that makes the Orchesis showcases particularly engaging is the fact that they always make sure their audience is having fun. They reassure those in the attendance that it is okay to clap, “whoop,” or whistle whenever they see something they like. Whether it be the lights staged by crew or a certain move, the audience is encouraged to make all the noise they can to let the dancers know that they are enjoying the show they’re putting on.
Not only that, but there is never a minute of boredom while watching. During every intermission, the company incorporated separate, mini acts to make sure the audience had something to view while the next performing members were quick-changing. Some of these performances included their Showstoppers, where they teach elementary school students dances and perform with them, who danced to 3 different songs. They also featured the Color Guard, who displayed their own choreography, all while handling their flags and batons.
Senior Niya Bouvier’s solo to “What Was I Made For” in particular, I feel, was the most showstopping performance. Throughout her self-choreographed dance, she ignited a fire of emotion and pulled at the heart strings of audience members. Utilizing intense, yet delicate body movement as well as impeccably detailed facial expressions, I found there wasn’t a moment I wasn’t sitting in awe on the edge of my seat. As she states in the company’s showcase program pamphlet, high school was a struggle for her before eventually finding herself through dance.
“At the beginning of high school, I struggled to see a future for myself. The uncertainty felt overwhelming, and I often questioned where I was meant to go or who I was meant to become,” Bouvier said. “‘What Was I Made For’ exists in the quiet space between endings and beginnings, where reflection meets the unknown. Through this dance, I shared both the confidence I’ve gained and the doubts I still carry. Although fear remains, I’m ready to step forward, trusting the journey and trusting who I am becoming.”
In all, the Orchesis Dance Company’s ability to put on such an immersive performance, I believe, should be immensely applauded. As someone involved in multiple different activities, I highly recommend attending Orchesis’s annual showcase if you are looking for something new and invigorating to see.
