Ryan Williams-Abrams - Staff Writer
Last Friday, Marriotts Ridge Dance Company performed their annual winter concert. As usual, it was a stunning success. The performance included dances by Dance Company, Junior Company, as well as Dance I-IV. Each of the groups dazzled on under the bright stage lights. The colorful costumes, engaging dances, and surprising Dance Company mascot highlighted the fantastic performance.
With new teacher Mrs. Dina Reyes at the helm of MRHS Dance, she integrated multiple compelling types of dances throughout the night. “The dance concert went well. It was a new experience with a new teacher, and we all adapted in a great way. I think this year is definitely going well,” said Alaina Weller, a Dance Company junior. The concert featured hits such as “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, “Bad Habit” by Ben Platt, and “Is That Alright” by Lady Gaga from hit movie A Star is Born.
The dancers were happy to report that there were no malfunctions or disruptions during the concert. “There were not any costume malfunctions or lighting problems, so everything went pretty much as planned,” said Mackenzie Miller, a Dance Company junior. This year being Mrs. Reyes’ first concert at Marriotts Ridge, she brought new ideas for the dancers to incorporate, including a full group warm up. This allowed all of the dancers in the program to prepare together. “We did a group warm up with all the dancers in the program and it was super fun!” said Katy McManus, a Dance Company junior.
Many people in the audience may have noticed a honking sound coming from the house-right seating area. That was Mr. Cheese Puffs, the bright pink rubber chicken who is Dance Company’s unofficial mascot. “We named him at our Dance Company party before school began and he has been the mascot ever since,” said Alaina Weller.
The gripping performances had the audience captivated with the colorful lighting and upbeat songs programmed by Mrs. Reyes and the student leaders. The Marriotts Ridge Dance program should be incredibly proud of what they created. The MRHS community looks forward to their spring performance full of brand new dances and, of course, an appearance by Mr. Cheese Puff the rubber chicken.