Ariadna Zuniga
As the flowers begin to bloom and springtime brings beautiful weather, Pierce College dancers will also contribute with an event that will make everyone appreciate new beginnings.
The Annual Spring Dance Concert an opportunity that is brought back every year for everyone to experience a different type of art.
Auditions for the annual dance concert took place on Sunday.
“The auditions are very exciting,” said Marian Weiser. “It’s challenging for dancers as well as magnificent; the audience loves the variety as well as the challenge.”
Dance Theatre auditions included styles of ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, musical theater, dance drama, hip hop, social dance and improvisation. They don’t use folk dance in this dance because they will concentrate on that in December.
Students become lifetime members of the Pierce College Dance Theatre. Returning dancers must also audition for every concert due to the diversity in each dance. The 350- seat theatre sells out every year for this event, three days in a row.
The audience is very supportive and loyal to these events, according to Weiser.
Many guests are from Long Beach and Santa Barbara, which proves that they’re supported from beyond the local community. Not only is this performance enjoyed by the surrounding communities but it’s an experience that reaches different cities.
The performance will take place on May 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. at the Performance Arts Building (PAB). The last performance will be May 20 at 2 p.m. at the PAB.
There will be at least 50 to 70 performers.
“Although everyone that tries out may not make it, they are still offered an opportunity to be part of the tech crew,” said Weiser. “Many people don’t understand that the tech crew is as necessary as the performers,” said Weiser.
“Without them the show would be very hard to run.”
This performance is a great opportunity for the performers and tech crew because they are able to participate in a hands-on experience. The students also have an opportunity to be exposed to every element that is found in the life of a dancer.
“As a student, I believe that everyone should take this class because it’s exciting and not what people assume. Not only do you learn dance but you also learn history, the roots of what dance is,” said Margaret Njuki, a freshman at Pierce. “I have seen these performances and they are amazing.”
The community gains from this performance because it brings an art that very often is not available at a reasonable price.
“We try to keep the prices low so that it may not prohibit anyone from coming,” said Weiser.
The dancers, choreographers, crew tech, as well as the audience, create an event that can’t survive on its own. Everyone in the community helps this art stay alive, according to Weiser.
“To dance is to live. It is so exciting, it’s frustrating, exhilarating, relaxing.” Said Wesier.
“I can’t even find the right adjective to fit the wonderful world of dance,” said Weiser. “I live vicariously through my dancers and choreographers.”
The cast selection will not be complete until Sunday evening.
Kim Klier and fellow students dance their best during auditions for the spring dance concert which will be held May 20. (Ellen Soukup)