As their show season draws to an end, Orchesis is preparing for the highlight of their year: the annual show next month. Aptly titled “Beneath the Surface,” this year’s show evokes deeper meanings and messages than previous years.

“This year is so different because we dug really, really deep,” junior Ana Cinch, first year Orchesis member, said. “We have different meanings behind each dance, which represent something important to everybody as individuals, as well as society.”

“Beneath the Surface” is composed of 18 dances, 17 of which are student choreographed. All of the choreographers took risks in this year’s show, including Orchesis President, senior Abby Anderson. Anderson is the choreographer of three dances in “Beneath the Surface”.

“This year’s show is honestly unlike the three previous shows I’ve been in,” Anderson said. “It’s more artistic, more organic [and] has deeper themes of choreography and a darker feel to it.”

The Orchesis choreographers, ranging from one to four per dance, review each other’s dances each week. Beginning immediately after winter break, members then have hour- long weekly rehearsal “slots” for each of the dances. Two Saturdays are devoted to all-day practice and intense polishing of each dance with dance teacher and Orchesis sponsor, Reggie Good.

“I always look forward to watching the dancers improve and grow from when I first met them at tryouts,” Good said.

Eventually, dress rehearsals will take place in the theater two weeks before the show.

“As it gets closer and closer to show week, we work really hard to make sure the dances are perfect by staging, running and drilling them,” junior Emma Drezen, second year Orchesis member, said.
During this time, Orchesis also has to select a show title, have a poster/program photoshoot advertising the show and sew their own costumes. For seniors, there is also the annual senior dance (“Senior Goods”) to look forward to.

“I am so excited to be a senior this year,” Orchesis Social Media Director, senior Jaylyn Fahey said. “I have been waiting for this dance since freshman year, and it’s finally here.”

Good, along with the senior Orchesis members, create a three-part dance with a top-secret theme. The theme embodies the different personalities of the seniors and their dance style. On “Senior Day,” the senior class reveals the theme and performs the dance for the Orchesis underclassmen for the
first time. The senior dance is performed in “Beneath the Surface” before intermission.

“I am looking forward to performing one last time with all my friends on stage,” Senior Representative, Megan Kudla said. “I can’t wait to see all the student choreography, costumes and lighting come together.”

“Beneath the Surface” will be performed on Wednesday, March 2 at 4 p.m. and on Thursday, March 3 through Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold the first week of March during A and B lunches.