The U Ballet Department held its Ballet Showcase this weekend.
The showcase, which has been in the works since before school started, included pieces designed and choreographed by students for students.
The Ballet Showcase is used not only as a kickoff for the ballet performing season but also as a teaching tool. It allows ballet students to learn performance etiquette and freshmen to experience what it feels like to perform on stage in college.
Students of all grade levels participated, including freshmen who were invited to be in choreographed pieces after the first few days of school if they showed potential.
Bashaun Williams, a junior in ballet, said he felt this year’s Ballet Showcase surpassed any he had been in before.
“Usually choreography pieces are cut out of the show if they do not live up to the standards,” Williams said. “This year that didn’t happen because all of the pieces were excellent.” Williams performed in a tango piece titled “Exit Only.”
The Thursday and Saturday night shows were nearly sold out and onlookers, though forced to deal with a crowded theater, seemed pleased with the outcome of the performance.
“I felt like it was a great show,” said Clair Hawls, a U ballet hopeful and senior at Alta High School. “I feel this ballet program has so much to offer and it makes me excited to be a senior and hopefully able to participate next year.”
With the end of the showcase, the department has a busy schedule ahead and will continue with performances the weekends of Oct. 29 and Nov. 6.
Also upcoming for the modern dance program will be a season kick-off with two weekend performances from its performing dance company, which performs the weekends of Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.
For more information, visit the event website, www.events.utah.edu, or the program’s website, which can be found at the College of Fine Arts home page.
[email protected]
Richard Payson