On Friday 9 May, QACI hosted its first Dance Showcase for 2025, LAUNCH. This collaboration across the Dance cohorts always stuns audiences, and this year was no different.
Act 1 started off strong with the Year 10 cohort. They lit up the stage in emerald green with their rendition of “One Short Day” from the infamous musical, Wicked. Paired with the music, their lively personalities and exuberant dance moves captivated the audience’s attention. This theatrical addition to the showcase was brilliant in displaying all the Year 10s had to offer, and their variety of props was definitely one of my favourite aspects.
The second half of Act 1 focused on the Year 11 students. The stage was brilliantly illuminated with fairy lights for this part, and beds, couches, and blankets littered the stage. With the theme of After Dark, these students delivered just that – each dance masterfully choreographed by the students with their own unique take on this. This set started off strong with Beyond Bedtime, choreographed by Amy Davidson, in which audience member recounts that “Amy’s dance was incredible.” This Act ended with a group dance by the Year 11 students, choreographed by QACI Dance Teacher Liz Collyer herself, titled Switch Off. This was displayed elegantly across the stage, and Ms Collyer’s collaboration with the Tech Team did not go unnoticed, few noticing her exact lighting shift cues from the tech box.
After a short intermission, Act 2 commenced. This consisted of a series of individual dances choreographed by each senior Dance student. In It Happened To Me, each student focused on a significant figure from history and explored their character and context in order to create their piece. Sophie Luxton started this act off strongly with her piece Little Lady, in which she brilliantly portrayed Liang Hongyu, a Chinese general of the Song Dynasty, through her exuberant use of her body and face. This followed smoothly into Maria Burton-Jones’ performance, Voyager, her portrayal of Jessica Watson’s journey sailing around the globe. A fan-favourite was certainly Ruby Mason’s take on Cathy Freeman with her performance Wagarra. Ruby displayed her ancestry boldly and emotionally to the audience, and many were left stunned after the beautiful message she painted them. And finally, the showcase ended with a group performance by the Year 12 cohort – Echoes Etched was an elaborate group performance on self-identity, personality, and one’s inner strength, and it was a beautiful close to a fantastic night.
For all who have never been to a dance showcase, I strongly urge for LAUNCH to be your sign to start – this is only the beginning of their journey this year, and we can’t want to see where it takes them.
Article written by Maggie Williams, Year 11