‘New Dances, New Choreographers’ chance for DW’s Junior Repertory Company to shine
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — What happens when the student instructs the teacher? Dancers’ Workshop has found the experience an enriching one for both as the annual New Dances, New Choreographers takes shape.
Composed of elite underclassmen dancers, the Junior Repertory Company (JRC) is the contracted, pre-professional dance company for upper-level students at Dancers’ Workshop. JRC students enjoy technique classes (ballet and contemporary dance styles) during the week, as well as class and rehearsals every Saturday morning during the school year.
Once a year, JRC dancers from sophomore year of high school and up, have a rare opportunity to choreograph a group of their peers in a months-long process to create a dance piece that speaks to them. The resulting work is entertaining, of course, but, internally, the creative growth and leadership development in the junior students is astounding.
In addition to a piece choreographed by a guest artist starring all of the JRC members—select high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors collaborate with their classmates and instructors to create several unique 5-6-minute pieces with their peers as the dancers.
Projecting idea and expression onto a canvas of ready dancers is challenge enough, but JRC choreographers also audition and choose their equals, deciding whom they see as fit for their vision, then train them in choreographed material. Most first-year choreographers have never experienced anything quite like this new authority over peers.
Once the awkward stage is out of the way, students quickly learn to imprint their ideas onto others and work to build their visions vicariously through their friends.
All photos courtesy of Christine Wehner, Creative Curiosity.
DW and JRC alumnus Morana Lundquist admit the process goes far beyond the dance floor.
“NDNC prepared me to manage large complex projects and problems, work collaboratively with people of various backgrounds, and communicate my ideas clearly and confidently. I have used these skills in college, work experience, and my personal life,” Lundquist said.
Another alumnus, Ashlyn Fadala, shared, “I find the NDNC process to be freeing in a way. As an alumnus, during my time I found it to be connecting in more ways than one. It’s a mastery of communication. To be able to say what you want in your choreography, and then to find a way to communicate that to your dancers.”
New Dances, New Choreographers is an enlightening opportunity for the community to witness firsthand the progress and time spent through the dancing sessions. Since the performance is in the middle of the year, it is a great representation of growth.
New Dances, New Choreographers is April 22-23 at 6pm in the Center Theatre. Tickets are $12 for students, $22 for adults, and $10 for virtual access.
