Members of the Eurythmic Dance Company will perform a variety of dance forms from lyrical to Bollywood and everything in between at their annual spring concert titled “Epic: Are you Ready?”
The company at Lyons Township High School started preparing for the concert at the beginning of the school year, when some dancers auditioned their own choreographed pieces for possible inclusion in the concert.
A piece called “Tied” choreographed by Cassie Callahan, 16, of Countryside was chosen. It features dancers twisting and turning long ribbons as they perform lyrical and contemporary dance and makes a statement about long-lasting bonds.
“It’s about having a friend connection to someone,” Callahan said.
Another piece will be to the song “Chicago” by Frank Sinatra and will feature tappers dancing to the familiar ode to the toddlin’ town.
Madeline Schaeffer, a senior from Western Springs, co-director of the concert, said dancers get a thrill from expressing themselves through dance, whether the tone is light-hearted or serious.
“We’re trying all these different things and we’re also making statements,” she said.
One of the dances called “Lean on Me” and is about suicide, Schaeffer said.
The dancers also are using the concert to show their concern for important issues. The concert will benefit Project Semicolon, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and helping people struggling with mental health challenges, suicide, addiction and self-injury.
Brittany Knickelbein, assistant director, said the company chose to support Project Semicolon because many young people are coping with such challenges.
“It’s prevalent in high school communities,” she said.
The dancers’ work throughout the year also included learning new dance forms such as the steps for a Bollywood number that will be concert’s finale. The members learned the dance during workshops conducted by a visiting teacher.
“That’s the finale,” said Knickelbein said. “It’s a high note. Everybody’s smiling. It’s high energy.”
The dancers will also perform at an in-school assembly and are looking forward to demonstrating their art and athleticism for other students.
While games and other sporting events tend to get most of the attention throughout the school year, Emma Dziura, 15, from Brookfield, said this is the dancers’ turn to shine.
“I love when people see me dance,” she said. “I hope the school sees how hard we work and how beautiful dance is, and how epic dance is.”
Spring concert
Who: Lyons Township High School Eurythmic Dance Company
What: Epic: Are you Ready springs concert
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When: 7 p.m. May 5, 6 and 7. Doors open at 6:40 p.m.
Where: North Campus Reber Center, 100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange.
Tickets: $10 in advance and $12 at the door; no discounts or activity passes are applicable. Tickets are available by calling 708-579-6393.