Published: Dec. 8, 2009
A loud buzzer sounds, and five players wearing Eastbrook jerseys run off the court and go into the locker room.
Normally this is when there is a mass exodus of the crowd towards the concession stand, but that is simply not true at Eastbrook High School. Most people stay around to watch the E*Motion Dance Team perform its weekly halftime show.
E*motion has been going strong for the past 10 years. Each year many girls tryout, but only 10 to 15 selected individuals have the privilege to call themselves the E*Motion Dance Team.
Many of the girls have had significant dance experience from outside the team, including local studios. A current member of E*Motion, Shey Harris, said, “I’ve been to four dance studios and I plan to major in dance next year.”
In the past, the E*Motion Dance Team has danced at the majority of Eastbrook’s home basketball games. This year they have kicked off their dance season early. The team was allowed to dance at the homecoming football game on Oct. 9.
"E*motion has not danced at a homecoming football game for over 4 years, so naturally we were excited to be able to perform on Friday,” said Rachel Miner, a senior E*Motion Dancer.
E*Motion is serious about becoming better this year. How are they going to pull it off?
“In the past, preparation and dedication have lacked, leading to performances that weren't what they could have been. I, with a consensus from the other girls, want to be excited and pumped about what we produce as a team, rather than nervous or fearful,” said Olivia Bertsch, the senior team captain.
E*Motion has typically been a jazz and hip-hop team, but this year the girls are breaking out into some new genres.
“It keeps [the dances] interesting, and it keeps the audience entertained because they don’t know what we’re going to do next,” assistant captain Abby Fisher said.
“As captain, I really wanted to make the team more versatile, therefore more exciting and entertaining for our audience," Bertsch said. "We are planning to change up our style a bit and branch out from our typical routines.”
These new routines will even include a country song, It Happens by Sugarland. None of the current members can remember the last time a country dance was performed by E*Motion.
Fisher thinks the audience should be looking forward to this new dance, complete with flannel shirts, cowboy boots and hats.
Bertsch said the team already has several routines ready for this year. Some of the songs she mentioned include, Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas, It Happens by Sugarland, and a jazz/tap dance to Swing Swing Swing. She also mentioned plans to join with the cheerleading squad to perform “Mega Mix” from Jock Jams.
“(Our plans are) already encompassing hip-hop, country, pop, and more classic jazz, (but) the list will go on," said Bertsch. "Our hope is to keep things exciting, and hopefully this will better our reputation as the quality and talented team that we strive to be.”
Harris said avoiding repetition is another area the team is working on improving.
“We have new costumes, and we’re not going to wear the same thing for every dance,” Harris said.
They will perform again today and Friday.
The girls encourage all members of the school and community to attend their performances.
“Be looking forward to seeing something brand new every time we perform.” Bertsch continued, “Anticipate some new songs from different genres, and some amazing dancers with some knock-out smiles.”
©2009 Alex Moore
1 comments:
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