50p
Wave
This evening, each house will be gathering in their respective multipurpose rooms, common rooms, or lecture theatres to watch this year’s Evening of Dance. Wave is a show made up of all levels of dancers (novice, intermediate and advanced) and created by the accomplished and adored Ms Staples. There will be group dances, solos, self choreography; there will be Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop and Pointe. Like waves, each dance within the show will be connected in some way or form whether by genre or idea. There is undeniable elusivity within the meaning of the title of the show so the audience is encouraged to find their individual interpretation of the pieces.
The show was named Wave for many reasons. The word wave itself is defined as “a sudden occurrence of or increase in a specified phenomenon, feeling, or emotion”. Something rare and beautiful in dance is the unity created in moments. In contemporary, Ms Staples wanted to capture this meaning of Wave by playing with retrogration, creation of shapes and reversal. In the Advanced Contemporary piece, “Near Perfect Synchronization” for example, the dance reflected the main theme and demonstrated how “relationships reach a peak and they fall and they fizzle” Ms Staples explained. This idea of occurrences and phenomena are temporary but they never stanch as the dancers continue.
Another definition for wave is to “move to and fro with a swaying or undulating motion while remaining fixed to one point”. While this may seem unequivocal, the idea of ups and downs and highs and lows while remaining stationary can, in some ways, mirror the experience of this year. There have been many challenges, yet many triumphs, and Ms Staples highlighted this similitude within her jazz pieces. Ms Staples wanted a feeling of empowerment in both the music and the dancing. In “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” performed by intermediate jazz dance, there was a focus on diversity within the movement and lyrics. Nirva M, Hope ‘24 says simply “It is about people coming together”. With the Advanced Jazz Dance “Purple Hays”, Ms Staples played with choreography and highlighting dancers’ abilities and strengths.
Finally, waves are also defined as “the object of a person's perception; what the senses or the mind notices”. There is no one message being conveyed for it is broad and expansive. Dance is an art form meant for personal interpretation as movement will resonate differently for each individual. Meaning is, no doubt, encapsulated within the pieces, yet that is up to the audience members to uncover.
The dancers, crew, and choreographers are excited to welcome the audience to our show. Dance Captain Alice S, Alex ‘21 says “Everyone has worked so hard to put our dance show together” and she is both excited to share it and watch it herself. There is creation, flow and beauty within it, and we cannot wait for you to see it.
Zosia S, Dance Assistant Captain, Hope ‘21
The show was named Wave for many reasons. The word wave itself is defined as “a sudden occurrence of or increase in a specified phenomenon, feeling, or emotion”. Something rare and beautiful in dance is the unity created in moments. In contemporary, Ms Staples wanted to capture this meaning of Wave by playing with retrogration, creation of shapes and reversal. In the Advanced Contemporary piece, “Near Perfect Synchronization” for example, the dance reflected the main theme and demonstrated how “relationships reach a peak and they fall and they fizzle” Ms Staples explained. This idea of occurrences and phenomena are temporary but they never stanch as the dancers continue.
Another definition for wave is to “move to and fro with a swaying or undulating motion while remaining fixed to one point”. While this may seem unequivocal, the idea of ups and downs and highs and lows while remaining stationary can, in some ways, mirror the experience of this year. There have been many challenges, yet many triumphs, and Ms Staples highlighted this similitude within her jazz pieces. Ms Staples wanted a feeling of empowerment in both the music and the dancing. In “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” performed by intermediate jazz dance, there was a focus on diversity within the movement and lyrics. Nirva M, Hope ‘24 says simply “It is about people coming together”. With the Advanced Jazz Dance “Purple Hays”, Ms Staples played with choreography and highlighting dancers’ abilities and strengths.
Finally, waves are also defined as “the object of a person's perception; what the senses or the mind notices”. There is no one message being conveyed for it is broad and expansive. Dance is an art form meant for personal interpretation as movement will resonate differently for each individual. Meaning is, no doubt, encapsulated within the pieces, yet that is up to the audience members to uncover.
The dancers, crew, and choreographers are excited to welcome the audience to our show. Dance Captain Alice S, Alex ‘21 says “Everyone has worked so hard to put our dance show together” and she is both excited to share it and watch it herself. There is creation, flow and beauty within it, and we cannot wait for you to see it.
Zosia S, Dance Assistant Captain, Hope ‘21