Artistry in Motion Spring Showcase 2014
Celebrating their 10th season, Artistry in Motion, the in-house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, will perform their annual Spring Showcase, on April 11 and 12 at the Prairie Lakes Theater. The program features new choreography by Richard Ashworth, Allie Buchweitz, Laura Chiuve, Cecilia Ferguson-Bell, Anne Gnoth, David Ingram, Rachel Ratto, Jamie Salas, and Mary Williams and includes performances by dancers who won awards during the 2013 competition season at DanceAmerica, The Edge Competition, and Dance Idol.
Forty four unique dances will be performed across the two shows, making each program an eclectic mix of jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, modern, contemporary, and hip hop. Highlights of the shows are Bridget Donovan, Kim Fairhead, Sammy Kedziora, Ella Kurutz, Jackie Rentner, Natalie Sanchez, Mat Skorupski, Jessie Starzynski, and Jordin Suwalski performing "Cellophane," a contemporary hip hop piece choreographed by Karlo Familara and Angelina Grima, that won the Teacher's Choice Award and First Place at DanceAmerica, fifth overall high score in the 13-15 small group category at The Edge Competition, and First Runner-up High Score at Dance Idol Competition; Makayla Allen, Olivia Bitcon, Ashlinn DeMonte, Cailyn Harrington, Rory Lally, Suzy Linek, Madison Rentner, Hailey Suwalski, Kiley White, and Anna Wozniakowski, performing "Ole," a modern piece, choreographed by Cecilia Ferguson-Bell, that won First Place and First Runner Up in the large group category at DanceAmerica, and took First Place at Dance Idol; and Jackie Chiakas, Lyris Daker, Kim Fairhead, Kedziora, E. Kurutz, Rose Kurutz, J. Rentner, Natalie Sanchez, Greta Sorenson, J. Suwalski, and Tess Wastyn, performing "Crazy in Love," a jazz piece choreographed by Bridget Donovan, a dancer with the company, which won First Place and Second Runner up in the large group category at DanceAmerica. Graduating senior, Georgina Genovese, who has been dancing with Artistry in Motion since 2007, will also perform a lyrical solo, "Destination," choreographed by Anne Gnoth. Genovese plans to attend Carroll University in the fall and study Physical Therapy.
In both the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon shows the Artistry in Motion Performing Company, will present a 50s medley in pink poodle skirts, and the Footnotes Performing Troupe will sing Disney Classics from The Little Mermaid and Frozen.
The closing dance, "Youth," is a contemporary piece choreographed by Jamie Salas for the entire company. "Youth is about setting goals and striving for your dreams," said Nancy Suwalski, Cultural Arts Supervisor. "This song represents our dancers who, in every class, every rehearsal, every performance, and every competition embrace their art with passion, heart, hard work, and determination. Our dancers have had an amazing season on and off the stage. Their commitment, dedication, and growth is evident in this not-to-be-missed show."
Artistry in Motion Spring Showcase 2014. Friday, April 11 at 7:00pm, Saturday, April 12 at 2:00pm. General admission tickets are $8; $5 for dancers and students. Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 East Thacker Street, 847-391-5711. For more information visit www.DPParks.org.