Friday Headlines
the weekly newsletter from EHS
Dance Company Debut
26 April 2024
This week the EHS Dance Company made their debut at the Great Big Dance Off regional heats, marking their first performance together as a cohesive group - and what a performance it was!
In the lead-up to the competition, the company dedicated themselves wholeheartedly, with weekly rehearsals as early as 7:30am and additional sessions almost every night as the event drew near. Their commitment was evident as they poured passion and professionalism into every practice session.
On the day of the competition, the girls arrived at school looking smart in their new company jackets and t-shirts. They began with an in-house rehearsal to iron out any last-minute details and adjustments. In the early afternoon, they boarded the minibus bound for the Alexandra Theatre, where they did an on-stage rehearsal that helped alleviate some of their pre-performance nerves.
After observing other schools' rehearsals, they retreated to their dressing room to do costume, hair, and makeup. There was a palpable sense of teamwork as the girls assisted each other with applying face paint and getting ready. Once fully dressed and prepared, they received a motivating pep talk from Miss Harris, along with personalised cupcakes as a sweet reward for their hard work. The cupcakes were a hit, although they did necessitate a touch-up of their red lipstick!
With spirits lifted, they entered the auditorium to watch the opening acts, which inspired them further for their own performance. When their turn came, they returned backstage for a final pep talk and stretch from Miss Harris.
As the music began, the girls took to the stage with electric energy, delivering a mesmerising performance that captivated the audience. Their flawless execution of intricate lifts elicited cheers, gasps and applause from the crowd.
Despite being amongst the youngest competitors in the Key Stage 4/5 category, EHS secured an impressive 4th place out of 13 entries in their category, and ranked 5th overall out of 23 pieces in the secondary competition. It was a remarkable achievement that filled everyone with pride. Congratulations, girls – you've done EHS proud!
Miss Harris, Dance Teacher
