SRU Dance Rolls Out Red Carpet For Upcoming Spring Performanceacting

By: Stephanie Turaj
Posted In: News

Salve Regina dance students will be providing an audience with two nights of entertainment-in style. Broadway songs, Rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls will fill the air, and students will be leaping and jumping onstage with props such as a red carpet in the background. Students in sequin dresses will be tapping a flashy jazz number, and others will be doing Irish Step dancing.

The SRU Dance Club will present its spring performance, “Roll Out the Red Carpet,” on Saturday Apr. 24, 2010 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Apr. 25, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the Rodgers Recreation Center. There will be 29 dance acts, including hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, Irish Step and ballet.

The name of the show, “Roll Out the Red Carpet,” reflects how a lot of the dances have a glamorous theme to them, with showy props and Broadway dances, said SRU Dance senior captain Lauren Micalizzi.

“I think it’s going to be one of the best shows,” said Micalizzi. “There are many upbeat songs, and everyone put in so much effort, and we’ve gotten the most support from the community ever.”

There will be a featured jazz number choreographed by junior Alex Zarlengo. The setting scene of this dance will be a backstage fashion show, and the dancers will be dancing as the models of the fashion show, said Micalizzi. Props will include a red carpet, and one of the songs in the dance will be the theme song from the television show “Nip/Tuck.”

Micalizzi believes this is the most challenging dance this year, explaining that dancers often focus so much on dancing, and not as much on acting. Since the dancers are

acting as models in the dance, they need a lot of attitude, said Micalizzi.

Micalizzi is dancing in five dances, including a solo where she will dance to “I Believe” by Blessed Union of Souls. Micalizzi said her favorite dance performed this year is the Senior number, which has a surprise theme, but encompasses all the Senior members of the team, and represents all of the different dance genres.

“A lot of the dances this year took a different approach,” said Micalizzi. “The choreographers have really evolved, really grown, and are trying new techniques.”

Vincent Testa, a junior and SRU Dance Public Relations executive member, is dancing in two hip hip and two tap dances, one of which he is choreographing. He agrees this is one of the most diverse semesters in terms of choreography. He said there is a tap dance to “Putting on the Ritz,” which is very classic, while there is also a more contemporary tap to “Electric Feel.”

“There are a lot of new choreographers that are bringing in so many exciting dances,” said Testa.

All of the dances are choreographed by students. Students are allowed to choreograph the dances after spending two consecutive semesters on the dance team. After a semester of choreographing on with another member, the student can then choreograph on her own.

The dancers rehearse every Sunday, and each dance has a 45 minute time slot for rehearsal, but choreographers are allowed to request extra time for dance rehearsal as needed, sometimes on weeknights. Tech week, the week before the show, the dancers rehearse every night by running the show.

“Being on e-board, it’s been crazy and hectic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Testa.

Sunday’s admission to the dance show is $5. The Saturday performance will have an admission price of at least a $1 donation to the Andrea Rizzo Foundation.

The Andrea Rizzo Foundation raises money for children’s cancer research through dance therapy programs. Andrea Rizzo, a graduate of Salve Regina, was killed by a drunk driver at age 24. As a childhood cancer survivor, Andrea’s dream was to become a dance therapist.

“The Andrea Rizzo Foundation hits home, since she was such a power force at Salve,” said Testa. “Dance has done so much for us, and the foundation is all about bringing dance to others and giving everyone a chance to dance.”

The fall performance raised almost $1,500 for the cause.

SRU Dance is the largest student-run organization on campus. With over one hundred members, the group is led by six executive board members. SRU Dance continues to grow, showcasing its talent in its two productions every year as well as in the community.

“I’m excited to put on the show,” said Micalizzi. “But I don’t want it to be one of my last shows here. Being a part of SRU dance is such a support system. It’s nice to get involved with SRU Dance, but it’s definitely hard to leave.”