City Dance Theatre, the department's youth dance troupe, won an award for every piece they performed in Portsmouth at the DanceAmerica Regional Competition, that was held the weekend of March 1.
The troupe performed 12 pieces, and of these, ten received first place trophies and two received second place trophies. This more than qualifies the company of young dancers, who range in age from 9 to 16, to compete in the national DanceAmerica competition to be held in Chicago this summer.
The company received six additional special recognition awards:
· Judges Overall High Score Award for “Lest We Forget”
· Best Emotional Execution for “Lest We Forget”
· Best Costume for “Metemorphose”
· High Score, Intermediate Large Group Modern, for “Run Mourners, Run”
· High Score, Intermediate Small Group Lyrical, for “For All We Know”
· High Score, Intermediate Duo/Trio Lyrical, for “Precious Lord”
A traditional Hawaiian dance staged by Trenna Jackson also qualified for the nationals in the Ethnic/Folkloric category.
“I am extremely proud of the City’s Dance Theatre youth and instructors,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “Their dedication, determination and commitment to excellence has aided them in winning these awards and recognitions in the DanceAmerica Regional Competition. It is my hope that all residents recognize the accomplishments of these youth and wish them well as they travel to the national DanceAmerica competition.”
The pieces were choreographed by Rodney L. Williams and Talita Jackson, who teach for the department’s City Dance Program at its Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center. Annette Holt manages the dance program for the department’s Cultural Arts Division.
