Dancing in many forms

Deirdre Newman

CORONA DEL MAR -- The fantasy world of dreams takes on many forms --

some are weird, some are wicked, and some defy description.

Dreams in all their various incarnations will be explored through

dance when Corona del Mar High School’s Orchesis Dance Co. takes too the

stage for three performances of “Before You Wake Up” starting tonight.

The different dance numbers, with titles such as “I Had the Weirdest

Dream,” “Wicked” and “Untitled,” involve a wide range of styles,

including jazz, techno, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and tap.

The showcase is unusual because the students manage every facet of

the performance process, from choreography to lighting to costume design.

“They’re learning natural, working skills that they can take out into

the world,” said Nicole Smith, co-director and Orchesis alumnae. “They’re

using their creative muscles to the fullest extent.”

When the lights come up on the first dance tonight, it will be the

culmination of six months of intensive labor. Students auditioned for the

Orchesis dance production class in the spring, and the 23 selected

started rehearsing in late summer.

Sixteen of the 17 numbers are choreographed by the students, who

audition the other company dancers for their own pieces.

Jessica Palermo, a senior who is president of the company,

choreographed or helped choreograph eight of the numbers. One of them,

“Everything,” is a lyrical ballet and jazz number danced to the soulful

ballad of the same name.

The song starts slowly as the dancers move gracefully across the

stage, trailing ribbon-like scarfs attached to their wrists, embodying

the vulnerable emotion of the song. Toward the end as the music

crescendos, the dancers are bathed in a deep red light.

Palermo said the choreography experience has taught her valuable

skills.

“I learned a lot about interpersonal relationships,” Palermo said.

“I’ve kind of been the mediator in a lot of situations. I’ve been a

teacher, a peer and a leader.”

Once the choreographers have chosen their dancers, the exhausting

rehearsal schedule begins, with students spending three to four hours

every day after school starting in September.

After Orchesis rehearsal, many of the students -- such as freshman

Christina Fulcher -- go to the private dance studios they have been

studying at for years for more dance classes.

Christina is in eight of the dances, including a sparklingtap dance

number called “Diamonds,” reminiscent of a Broadway show with music from

the movie “Moulin Rouge.”

She said she doesn’t mind the demanding nature of preparing for the

shows.

“I think Orchesis is really fun and love it. I wouldn’t change

anything,” Christina said.

For the finale of the show, the music starts with a jolt as a disco

ball on the ceiling of the auditorium is illuminated.

The dancers perform a jazzy romp to “Unbelievable,” a fitting metaphor

for all the work they have put into the effort.

FYI

“Before You Wake Up” will be performed at 7 p.m. today, Friday and

Saturday at the Loats Auditorium at Newport Harbor High School. Tickets

are $8 in advance and $9 at the door.