LCI ‘Awakening’ to the return of dance

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on March 3, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman The LCI Arts Academy dance students staged a performance preview of their upcoming show "Awakening" on Wednesday at the school's dance studio.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Arts Academy dance program is set once again to take the stage with their upcoming performance “Awakening.”
The performance will consist of 80 arts academy dancers who will perform ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, modern, tap, house, and breaking and will take place on Mar. 13-14 at the Yates Memorial Theatre.
“Everything we’ve been doing from September to now has all been show based,” said Geordan Olson, artistic director of the LCI Arts Academy dance program.
The performance includes pieces by well-known local choreographers and showcases works from celebrated established Canadian choreographers that have been brought to LCI throughout the year to teach different types of dance techniques.
“You’ll see every single person that has been involved in our classroom, you will see their work on stage,” said Olson.
Some of the choreographers include Raoul Wilke from Holla Jazz and Moon Runners crew who came to LCI from Toronto, Ont., Philippe Jaques from the Artistic faculty of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, choreographer for Ballet Victoria in Montreal, Apple Wong, and Goldie Applerosulit from Universoul Dance in Calgary.
Awakening signifies the joy of coming back to live theatre and young adults doing what they love together again.
“We’re looking forward to actually dancing on stage, we haven’t been able to actually perform on stage in a while and we really feed off of our audience if they’re clapping were going hard or if they’re crying we’re going harder,” said Sierra Heshka, grade 10 student from the LCI dance academy.
For those graduating this year, this performance is extra special as the uncertainty of a possible live performance was lingering throughout the year.
“I’ve been in Dance Academy since grade nine and this is my graduating year. It’s very sentimental to me, it’s my almost, like, going away show and I’m right thankful that I can do it in person,” said Taylor Wichers, graduating dance academy member.
She said she was able to experience all the ups and downs of the last couple of years and is thankful that she had the experience of navigating dance performance through a pandemic.
Olson, who also navigated the pandemic with her students, said this performance is that much more special because of it.
“The joy that I experienced as a teacher when we bring guest choreographers in and they were so excited and they’re just like bubbling with energy and it’s just wonderful for me so this is very special for me,” said Olson.
The production will include various dance pieces in collaboration with the LCI Jazz Choir under the direction of Erinn Roberts.
Performances will take place at the Yates Memorial Theatre on March 13 at 1:00 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. and on March 14 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Yates box office, at the Enmax Centre box office or by calling 403-329-SEAT.

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