Kaleidoscope Concert Tackles Diverse Themes: From ‘Quirky’ to Gun Violence
(From back) Amanda Joseph, Nataly Buenrostro, Clarissa Montez, Mattison Storey, Keirsten White, and Samantha DosSantos rehearse ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ for the spring dance show.
As the spring semester winds down, the San Jacinto College Performing Arts Company is gearing up to present Kaleidoscope April 26-27, a performance showcasing the talents of students enrolled in the South Campus dance program.
Dance program coordinator Jamie Williams said the show features a diverse selection of artists and choreographed numbers.
“Each dance piece definitely has a message that it wants to convey and these ideas vary across many different themes,” Williams said.
“Thoughts and Prayers,” choreographed by faculty member Jennifer Salter, offers a message related to gun violence, while other numbers like “Le Balon Di Fleuf,” choreographed by Williams to include tennis balls as props, create a quirkier scene on the stage.
“Some messages may be heavier than others,” Williams continued, “but on the whole, we aim to present an entertaining and thought-provoking show.”
Performance participants follow a rigorous schedule rehearsing two hours Mondays and Wednesdays and all day Fridays. Moreover, the recent school closures caused by the ITC fires forced extended rehearsal times so the cast could be ready for opening night.
Samantha DosSantos is a student performer who has studied dance for fifteen years. She said the show is the payoff for the grueling rehearsals and a chance for the public to see the effort that goes into presenting a dance show.
“We work so hard, and when I see it all coming together in time for the performance, it’s amazing,” she said. “All of our hard work was worth it.”
Likewise, Anna Gutierrez, a 12-year dance student, said she enjoys the thrill of seeing study culminate in a live performance.
“I love to see the end product and get that rush of adrenaline performing in front of a crowd,” Gutierrez said. “It’s truly an experience beyond words.”
Performances of Kaleidoscope take place April 26-27 at 7 p.m. in the proscenium theater of the Flickinger Fine Arts Center (S15) on the South Campus. General admission is $10 and $5 for students. Advance tickets are available at sanjacdance.ticketleap.com.
