The idea of a student-produced production conjures up visions of
frenzied performers, strewn together stages and power-tripping
producers. But during the final few rehearsals before opening
night, the vibe around the dancers of WAC Smash, a student-created
undergraduate showcase, is one of professional cool.
“I just had my last rehearsal, and I feel good about it
finally. This is my favorite week of the whole year,” said
Sarri Sanchez, a third-year world arts and cultures dance student
and choreographer for the show.
The secret to the calm mood, it seems, is the show’s
experienced coproducers Emily Vartanian, a fifth-year world arts
and cultures dance student and Lauren Santiago, a fifth-year world
arts and cultures integrated student.
Vartanian, who dreamed up the proposal for this undergraduate
project and performed in the dance showcase four years ago as a
second-year, has produced every WAC Smash from its inception.
Santiago has been a coproducer the past two years.
A production that began with a 244-seat audience and one night
of performances has expanded into a weekend extravaganza that will
be held in the Freud Playhouse.
“(WAC Smash) has just gone crazy, and it’s so
exciting because it is so beautiful to see this thing that did not
exist when we started (attending school) here turn into this thing
that people look forward to,” Vartanian said.
The show has evolved into a two-hour production filled with
everything from a classical ballet and Philippine dance to hip-hop
and a dance mimicking the movements of sea creatures, inspired by
the choreographer’s marine biology studies.
“It’s important to have shows like this because in
other schools you would always see them doing ballet or jazz or the
traditional modern,” said Peter de Guzman, a fifth-year world
arts and cultures integrated student, who choreographed a
Philippine dance for the show.
“But in this show you will see them doing a lot of
different styles, even styles like hip-hop (that) aren’t
going to be offered in a university,” he added.
The choreographers of WAC Smash promise there will be something
of interest for everyone, especially when there will be over 90
dancers taking the stage to perform the various styles.
“The works range from high-energy, pure entertainment to
hugely political, philosophical pieces, so you get a good
mix,” said Eva Wilder, a third-year world arts and cultures
dance student.
The most publicized event on the world arts and cultures
department calendar, its popularity resulted in 44 people
auditioning for one of 18 highly coveted spots. Vartanian and
Santiago attribute the fervor over WAC Smash to its filling a
professional level performance void in the dance department.
“Basically the motivation behind (WAC Smash) was another
opportunity (for dancers) to be seen in a professional manner with
professional lighting and a stage,” said Santiago.
“(WAC Smash offers) important things that we just
didn’t have before.”
The rare opportunity to work on a more professional production
is very desirable for many world arts and cultures students. The
professionalism of the show goes back to Vartanian and
Santiago’s organization and vision of a stellar
production.
“It’s incredibly valuable that we went into (WAC
Smash) from the beginning with a tremendous amount of respect for
the performers and for the audience,” said Vartanian.
“(The dancers) understand the level of esteem we hold them
in for their work and for the people who are taking time out of
their lives to come and see it,” she added.
The planning has paid off, according Vartanian. Each year the
performance runs out of tickets, and the quality of the
choreography continually improves.
“What is exciting about (the show) is that everyone is
passionate about (his or her) work, and “¦ has good support in
terms of the production value,” said Lynn Dally, the WAC
faculty adviser for the production.
The support from the department has been invaluable to the
production. “Most of the department is really supportive of
our endeavors in terms of wanting to get more opportunities for the
undergrads and just wanting them to be heard,” Santiago
said.
Vartanian and Santiago are confident that the show will continue
to be a staple in the department long after they have graduated. A
momentum has been established around the show, said Vartanian,
noting WAC Smash appeals to dance fans as well as people with
little knowledge of dance.
“The show is much more accessible than a lot of other
things that happen because people have fun with really
understandable ideas,” Vartanian said. “And the energy
is huge, whether its a solo or 20 people. It is fun to
watch.”