MS DANCE COMPANY

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Let It Be was created from the stimulus of a relationship between a mother and daughter. The work explores the intricacies of intimate family relationships that provide support and care when someone is in need. At times these relationships can be tiring. But then at other times we are so reliant on them that we are unaware of how significant they are until they are gone. Let It Be portrays the ups and downs of intimate family relationships and the internal struggles we face when that relationship is lost.

GRADE 11 AND 12 DANCE

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Heal explores the last two stages of the grieving process; Reconstruction and Acceptance. These two ideas of rebuilding oneself and moving on allows us to reflect on ourselves and renew who we are without a loved one. The motif of extended lines represents the desire to have the lost person return to you, while the closed shapes and turns show how we reconstruct our identity internally before being able to move on and accept our new reality.

GRADE 9 AND 10 DANCE

Arranged and choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Resolution is based on the GCSE Dance coursework set phrases. It explores the process of trying to make a difficult decision and struggling to come to the right choice. Through the circular motif, it conveys the internal struggle one has with their subconscious mind to ensure they act in the morally correct way. The work ends with the decision being made and moving on without regrets.

GRADE 11 AND 12 DANCE

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Red Right Hand was created as an outgrowth of IB Dance Style Investigation coursework where students explored the work of choreographer Bob Fosse. Fosse created some of the most famous musical theatre repertoire that is still performed today. These works include Chicago and Cabaret.

Red Right Hand is a contemporary take on this style that portrays the precariousness of some choices we make in difficult situations. The metaphor of a “red right hand” is used to symbolise the feeling of personal guilt after a betrayal. The descriptive language used in the lyrics is complimented by the gestural nature of the style to portray the fear and anxiety around poor decisions.

STUDENT LED ACTIVITY

Choreographed by Mariko Mita and Julia Grabow

This is inspired by the pendulum, utilising curved lines and swinging dynamics. Medicine explores how a person’s actions can affect those around them, setting off a chain reaction that creates change and individualism within a community. With the use of structural devices such as canon and manipulation of numbers, Medicine portrays the way a single drop in the ocean can create ripples to all around it.

GRADE 9 AND 10 DANCE

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Royals was inspired by the stimuli of a military coup of an ancient ruling monarch, similar to the French or Russian Revolution. With a contemporary lens it explores the concept of a community of young adults who were born into extreme poverty that rise up to displace the royal family that rules over them. The Jazz style and the percussive dynamic portrays the frustrustraion of the community and the gestural movements imitate and mock the lifestyles of these wealthy figures that is so unattainable for regular society.

GRADE 11 AND 12 DANCE

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Eleanor Rigby was created using the lyrics and music of The Beatles hit song as a stimulus and will be featured in an upcoming collaborative project with the High School String Orchestra and vocal group Bersama.

Eleanor Rigby portrays the story of two people who both feel unheard within their life. The search for the individual purpose is portrayed through straight reaching gestures whilst the curved movements convey the anxiety felt as we try to find our true self. Eleanor Rigby explores the idea of loneliness and the isolation one can feel as they traverse through life. Please be aware that this performance includes strobe lighting.

MS DANCE COMPANY

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Aeroplane portrays a journey one might take in a foreign land and the lasting impact that can have on you. Using an aeroplane as a visual stimulus, the motif of extended arms explores the concept of the physical journey itself, whilst the crossed arm motif is used to show inconsistent direction and getting lost due to being in awe of your surroundings. The jungle also provided ample stimuli to explore the idea of personal growth, not only physically but emotionally after experiencing a new place or culture.

HS DANCE COMPANY

Choreographed by Lauren Hickson

Fragments of Light draws inspiration from the Dwan Light Sanctuary which is a part of the UWC New Mexico Campus. The Dwan Light Sanctuary is described as a place to seek “refuge from the pace, conflicts, and anxieties of daily living. The orientation and geometry of the building are derived from its alignment to the sun, moon, and stars.”

This dance work aims to convey the serenity found in the sanctuary along with geometrical shapes and patterns created by the ribbons of light that move in the space as the earth revolves. We hope that Fragments of Light gives you a moment of stillness in our sometimes chaotic lives.