On Oct. 5, Upper and Middle School Greenhill Dance Company took a field trip to watch the Meadows School of the Arts Student Choreography Showcase, performed by the Southern Methodist University’s Meadows Dance Ensemble.
This showcase was previously known as the “Brown Bag Series,” where students would bring their own lunch and watch the performance in the lobby of the Owen Arts Center at SMU.
However, this year it was held in SMU’s Bob Hope Theater, as the lobby is currently undergoing renovations. This change allowed for a new experience.
“It was very interesting to see how it contrasted with a more formal environment, versus an informal environment,” eighth-grade student Eli Wenzel said.
Since the showcase was held on the proscenium stage of the Bob Hope Theater, the dancers were further away from the audience than in past years.
“The distance took away some of that intimacy,” Middle and Upper School dance teacher Kelly McCain said.
On the day of the trip, students left campus at 11:45 a.m. and arrived at SMU at 12:32 p.m. Greenhill students were able to watch the Meadows Dance Ensemble perform for 30 minutes.
“All the pieces had different meanings that were very personal to them. We felt very connected to the dancers,” eighth-grade student Grace Helms said.
This year, the showcase was only half an hour and was comprised of nine pieces. Rather than its usual hour which is comprised of eight to twelve pieces.
“It was shorter which made you want more,” Wenzel said.
Year after year, students come back to the studio with a multitude of new ideas. After observing the event, students often take the choreography and costumes from the showcase and incorporate them into their own pieces.
“The pieces were very contemporary, and since our piece is contemporary, I drew lots of inspiration from the showcase,” eighth-grade student Sophia Yang said.
Wenzel says the trip allows students of all levels an opportunity to learn.
“Even if you’re not as experienced, you can still gather a lot of information and inspiration,” Wenzel said.
After returning from the trip, students participated in a group discussion about their takeaways and new inspirations.
“One piece had a very interesting staggering movement, and we tried to use that,” Yang said.
Students say this discussion allows the dancers to reflect and motivate each other, as well as give McCain some feedback on how the trip could run smoother in the future.
