Students display creativity at choreography showcase

Students, teachers and parents fell silent as Andra Day’s “Rise Up” echoed throughout the Lowe Theater. Members of Terpsichore performed Athena Adrogué’s choreography as a tribute to Houston and all that it faced during Hurricane Harvey.

The annual Student Choreography Showcase took place on Dec. 1. This concert allowed thirteen student choreographers to showcase their creativity by selecting music and teaching other dancers. The dances included music from popular artists, including Lorde, The Chainsmokers and Imagine Dragons.

Students began to develop and learn combinations as early as September, but the majority of the choreography was taught throughout November and during Thanksgiving break.

Terpsichore performed five pieces, and most students were featured in multiple dances. Sophomore Sarah Hill was involved in six different numbers.

“Being involved in so many dances was exhausting, and forced us to build up our stamina,” Hill said. “Learning all of the dances was the hardest part, so we all had videos on our phones of the dances so that we could remember the choreography.”

While most choreographers designed their own pieces, sophomores Mira Thakur and Allison Biegel collaborated on a piece entitled “Bad Blood.”

“Collaborating with Mira was great because we have been friends for so long,” Biegel said. “It was really easy for us to work together, and we really respect each other.”

Sophomore Athena Adrogué choreographed the dance “Rise Up,” which was accompanied by a slideshow displaying the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

“I dedicated my dance to the Hurricane Harvey victims after seeing the devastating effects of the disaster on my community,” Adrogué said. “I wanted to tell Houston’s inspirational story of recovery through my dance.”

Adrogué appreciates the challenge posed by the student-driven event.

“The showcase is challenging because you are the choreographer who has to connect with the dancers and effectively bring your vision of the dance to life,” Adrogué said.

Learning the various pieces required dedication and practice from the dancers, who were able to bond during rehearsals.

“We would all laugh with each other during rehearsals and in school, trying to remember what we were doing in every dance and thinking about the inside jokes that we had,” Hill said.