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About Orchesis

Orchesis is an audition based dance company that meets as a class and after school activity.  This past year it was comprised of 35 members ranging from freshmen to seniors.  Orchesis performs numerous times throughout the year, including the Homecoming Pep Assembly and Game, Basketball Games, with the highlight being our annual concert in February.  Additional student-choreographed performances include our Annual Holiday Showcase, featuring several student-choreographed holiday pieces.  In previous years we have performed at Chicago Bulls games and we were also selected to perform in Disney World in 2020 & 2023!  We are also very proud that Hersey Orchesis has been selected for State 8 times in the past 9 years! ('17, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25)

While Orchesis dancers most often create and perform student-choreographed work, throughout our season the company members have multiple opportunities to learn from guest artists.  These professionals set choreography and teach master classes, exposing the dancers to various forms of dance.  Dancers are exposed to a variety of styles through Orchesis including, but not limited to, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and ballet.  Each year we participate in the District 214 Artist in Residence project, performing original choreography from a selected choreographer, with our fellow D214 Orchesis Companies.  For the past 9 years we have been honored to perform at Barrington High School in the Giordano Choreography Project.  The Project allows for several area dance companies to work with different Giordano dancers for a few months.  The original works are performed at the annual concert.  

Orchesis also partners with our CLS program thoughout the year with our Dynamite Dancers program.  Orchesis dancers spend time sharing their love of dance with D214 CLS students and they perform together at selected events.  

2024 - 2025 Performance Schedule

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH - HOMECOMING HALFTIME - JHHS - 7PM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17TH - D214 AIR PERFORMANCE - PROSPECT HS - 7PM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH - HOLIDAY SHOW - JHHS - DURING LUNCH PERIODS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH - BASKETBALL GAME HALFTIME - JHHS - 7:30PM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH - BASKETBALL GAME HALFTIME - JHHS - 6:00PM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH - GIORDANO PROJECT - BARRINGTON HS - 7:00PM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH - MAIN CONCERT - JHHS - 7:00PM

FRIDAY, FEBRAURY 28TH - MAIN CONCERT - JHHS - 7:00PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 1ST - MAIN CONCERT - JHHS - 7:00PM

TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH - DISTRICT HONORS DANCE CONCERT - ELK GROVE HS - 7:00PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30TH - DYNAMITE DANCERS PERFORMANCE - JHHS

Audition Information

Tuesday, March 18th

• Informational Meeting, 4:00pm - 4:45pm, Hersey Theatre

Day 1 - Tuesday, April 15

• Clinic, 4:30pm - 7:30pm, Dance Room

Day 2 - Wednesday, April 16

• Clinic, 4:30pm - 7:30pm, Dance Room

Day 3 - Thursday, April 17

• Audition time slots start at 4:30pm (a time slot and group will be assigned to you), Dance Room 

https://sites.google.com/d214.org/herseyorchesisauditions/home

Contact Information

Christine Widell, Director

christine.widell@d214.org