Spotlight on Upper School Dance Concert and Middle School Preludes

“Not only was it captivating to perform it over and over again,” Riley said, “but getting the opportunity to become comfortable in a style that seemed so foreign was one of the greatest experiences I've had for any show I've performed in.”

That enthusiasm captures the multi-layered heart of MDC’s fall concert, “Moving One-4-One,” held in Strayer Theater.

“The title reflects a playful quintuple entendre created by the Advanced Majors class,” explained Melissa Edwards, MDC director. “It suggests the emotional impact of the performance, the physical movement of the dancers, and the dance program’s transition from the Fonseca Center to Follett Hall, the School’s beautifully renovated performing arts building. It’s also a nod to the studio’s room number, 141, and the ensemble’s ‘all-for-one’ spirit.”

Twenty-six students performed in seven eclectic dances choreographed by guest artists. The photographs and interviews with the dancers on display during the concert’s interludes were part of a creative collaboration with student photographers, guided by visual arts faculty Rachel Langosch and Adrian Sas.

For senior Ari Melnick, performing in "Breathe Again,” a contemporary piece by Edwards, made a lasting impression. “It was the last piece of the show, so I was exhausted by that point, but the release I was able to find because of that exhaustion felt so freeing,” Melnick said. “I enjoyed performing it because it is such a community-driven work, that during my solo at the end, I felt the support behind me. Turning around at the very last moment to see everyone had joined me let all the emotions flow. I don't usually cry during performances, but I got pretty close.”

Edwards said, “This group of dancers exceeded expectations. The commitment to the process and to the company itself are truly remarkable. Every guest artist was so pleased with the dedication and talent of this very special group.”

Over at the Experimental Theater, the 38 talented students in Preludes, the middle school musical theater troupe, performed with a song and dance in their hearts.

Directed by middle school performing arts teacher Jason Reiff and middle school performing arts coordinator Katie Meadows, students in grades 5–8 blossomed during their seven-song set in the annual show, this year titled “Where the Good Things Grow.”

“Every year Katie and I come up with a loose theme which helps us to curate songs from the musical theater songbook,” Reiff explained. “She offered up the Benj Pasek and Justin Paul song ‘Good Things Grow’ from the musical film ‘Snow White,’ and the beautiful lyrics fell right in line.”

The dynamic duo arranged for the students to open with a lively “Raise Your Voice” from “Sister Act” and perform a beautiful version of “Somewhere” from “West Side Story.” The program also included songs from “Newsies, “Bring It On,” “Rent” and “Matilda.”

“The kids did a wonderful job,” Reiff said. “The highlight for me is getting to know the new students in our School when we work on our grade-level numbers. It’s a joy to watch how well everybody works together.”