By Katelyn Yeh Sage Hill’s dance program recently presented the 2024 Spring Dance Showcase, “Dance Fever,” bringing over 75 students to dazzle audiences in the Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater.
Through the choreography, music and costumes, the dance show highlighted defining moments of the 1970s, such as Roe v. Wade, Watergate, Apollo 11 and other historical events. The event was partially choreographed by students in partnership with Dance teachers Sydney Smith and Taleen Shrikian.
“Ms. Smith and I had a lot of fun dreaming up this whole Dance Fever 1970s theme, and it was actually a theme we decided on all the way back in August 2023,” Shrikian said. “We started brainstorming what types of music and cultural events and historical moments we wanted to include and that inspired a lot of the choreography for the show.”
A fan-favorite performance was “Watergate,” which was choreographed by Shirikian and performed by Dance III, the second highest level of dance after Synergy. Dressed in blazers and dress pants, the dancers captured the audience’s attention the second they marched on stage with their briefcases. At first, the stage seemed like a jumble of business suits, but the dancers separated, revealing their roles as either part of President Richard Nixon’s team of aides or law enforcement. Their choreography reflected the conflict, ending with the government handcuffing Nixon’s aides.
The seniors performed the last dance of the night and their last dance with Sage to music by the “Queen of Disco,” Donna Summer. This dance was inspired by the disco phenomenon Summer, one of the most admired singers during the disco era. With the joyful music, upbeat choreography and the unbeatable emotion that exuded from the stage, this final dance was one of the most memorable ones of the night.
Throughout the past four years, the team bonded and improved together, forming unbreakable bonds. “Dancing at Sage has truly been an incredible experience. I have made some of my best friends through the dance program, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to share the stage with such talented and wonderful people,” said Sophia Sun, senior dancer and teacher assistant of Dance I.
“This dance show was so much fun. Opening ritual fully allowed me to experience a different dance culture,” sophomore Isaac Alegria said.
