Coburn Palmer
Award winning hip hop choreographer Shane Sparks was on hand to teach dance moves before his audition as over 100 Pierce College students and community members came to the Spring Dance Concert auditions on Sunday.
“I’m always trying to help anyone in dance get to the next level,” Sparks said.
The student and professional choreographers taught small parts of their pieces to dancers before the auditions began.
The Pierce College Spring Dance Concert will be performed May 13-15, with a special children’s show Sunday.
Dancers trying out ranged from amateur to professional and ages 16-60.
Marian Weiser, instructor of dance and theater, supervised the auditions while student, faculty, and professional choreographers taught three or four measures of eight, to dancers auditioning for the show.
“I hope to see all of you in the cast, either as a dancer or as crew,” said Weiser.
Dancers who make it into one of the dances will need to sign up for dance class 814, 820 or 821.
Registering for these classes will make the dancers Pierce students if they are not already enrolled.
Dancers were given numbers to identify themselves and auditioned in groups of five.
“I’m better at sexy hip hop,” said professional dancer Staav Goldreich
There were 15 different choreographers involved in the auditions, including dance types such as modern dance, ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz and theatrical.
Dance pieces will include student, and faculty pieces which dancers will begin learning almost immediately.
“I can’t not dance,” said student choreographer and pre-vet major Lindsaey Michel. “It’s just that burning desire that never left.”
Lauren Regina, long time dancer, was also auditioning dancers on Sunday.
“I’m looking for personality, but the kind you show with your eyes,” she said.
Sparks taught a high-energy class directly before his auditions in which nearly everyone participated.
“Its not about how good you are,” he said. “Anyone can learn, show me some energy.”
Callbacks will be Sunday March 20 and dancers will receive word on their tryout status within 48 hours.
Every dancer who makes it into the concert will be required to attend an education hour from noon to 1 p.m.
“When someone talks about a gobo you need to know what that is,” said Weiser.
Pierce students work together on choreographed dance steps during tryouts on campus Sunday. (Crystal Endless)