The Dance Department at BYU-Idaho is gearing up for its yearly Winter Dance Showcase.
Students auditioned on Friday evening to dance in the showcase.
“Unlike our other productions, which are primarily focused on the outcome, this is focused on the process,” said Diedre Sakota, a dance faculty member who is directing the showcase for the first time this year.
The whole showcase is made up of numbers choreographed by none other than the Dance Department Faculty.
Sakota explained that the students who participate in the showcase have a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes in the choreography process.
“Students have a transparent look at how the choreographers work, how they think, how they put together and assemble a dance,” Sakota said.
As part of their auditions, students indicated in an online form what times they would be willing to practice for the showcase. They could choose to audition for numbers that rehearse either on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or on Tuesday and Thursday, or if their schedule allows it, they might have auditioned for both.
After the auditions, the Dance Faculty work together to cast the students in whichever numbers work best for their schedules.
Once dancers are cast, though, the process varies by the number. Sakota says it largely depends on the choreographer.
“Some will have a quicker process. We have a Scottish piece which would be a little bit more codified. And we have a footworks piece that would be kind of adapted to the skill of the dancers,” Sakota said.
Numbers will also include contemporary, ballroom and jazz. Sakota is excited for the range in numbers and thinks those watching will enjoy them too.
“Anticipate some more complex intellectual pieces and then some more fun and entertaining pieces,” Sakota said.
Sakota also loves the opportunity this project gives her to work with the students.
“I have the best job in the world,” Sakota said.
Sakota loves that BYU-Idaho gives students a place where they can share their beautiful gifts and talents.
“It can also tie that into God's plan for us, where we can be co-creators, where we can learn about him and his design,” Sakota said.
At the end of the process, the students perform their numbers in an hour-long show. Community and family members can attend one of the four showings on either February 11 or 12. Two shows will be performed each day, the first at 5 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the shows will be available online or at the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office and will open a few weeks before the show, but pay close attention, because the tickets sell out quickly!
Anyone who has questions about the show or the production is welcome to contact the BYU-Idaho Dance Department or can go to @byuidance on Instagram to talk to the students themselves.