A group of dancers assemble in the school cafeteria. The PAC is taken by various events and the gyms are taken by the competitive teams. They stand in front of the mirrors, beginning to learn the routine. 

Leap, Chaîné up, Chaîné down, twirl, capezio.

The white fluorescent bulbs of the gym fade to soft lighting of the PAC, the mirrors fade to an applauding crowd, and all the practice comes together at the Resurgence Orchesis Show the weekend of January 31st – February 1st. 

 “Last night, while I was watching the show- seeing it all come together- that was when I was like ‘Wow, I’m amazed with what we put together,” said Samantha Strupeck, instructor of Orchesis.

It certainly was an amazing show, filled with lifts, leaps, kicks, and turns; solos and group performances that pull your eye and break your heart; stories that can be told with a greater power than words.

Most of these stories were written and directed by none other than the students who danced in them. Five students, to be exact: Mira Terranova, Jayden Smith, Kate Alvarado, Cara Haugh, and Maggie Becker. 

While most of the numbers were lyrical and smooth; they featured different moods and messages.  One energetic performance featured a tap dance to the tune of “Almost There” from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.”

“Neon Lights,” choreographed by Mira Terranova, was a dynamic tale, featuring sharp movements and bright colors.

The audience couldn’t tear their eyes from “After it All,” a dramatic display of reaction to change.  This dance was choreographed by Kate Alvorado and featured a solo by Maggie Becker

“One Sided Love,” choreographed by Jayden Smith, was a fluid depiction of unrequited love in modern day society and the challenges it brings.

A moving tale of imagination and love was represented in “Dreaming,”   This dance was choreographed by Cara Haugh.

“Alone,” choreographed by Maggie Becker, was a forceful tale of loneliness in a crowd and drifting of close relationships.

All these, as well as a dance choreographed by Samantha Strupeck and one by a guest choreographer, Melanie Sikyta, came together to create a resurgence, in a way no words could describe.

Of course, as a story of no words, any interpretation is possible, and the audience was invited to see the show and decide for themselves.  But no matter how you interpret it, one consistency will always be the effort and emotion put into the dances and Orchesis as a whole.

“It’s a place for them to come and dance and be creative, but also have a really good support system, […] because it’s like a family,” Strupeck said.