On Monday, February 26th the whole 6th grade went to Brooklyn Ballet to see a ballet performance. Once we arrived, we were immediately seated in the Brooklyn Ballet dance theater. Everyone seemed very excited to be there, and it was a pretty good experience. First, we had a voiced introduction from a choreographer that works there. She explained what we were going to get to see that day, a few written ballet symbols, and then introduced us to the dance company that also works there with a dance performance choreographed by her. It was very vibrant and fun to watch, a lot of the students thought.
In the beginning of the first dance, they were all dancing and then they would all go backstage except for one of them, and that one would do a solo while the choreographer said their name, where they’re from, and when they started dancing. Then that person would go backstage, and the rest would come out afterwards without the previous soloist and the whole cycle would go repeat until everyone was introduced. All the students were so amazed when James (one of the dancers) did his solo because he could moonwalk, do a robot type of thing, a wave, it was just overall amazing!
Soon after, the choreographer spoke about the next dance that was going to be performed which was a duet between Christine (another dancer) and James which was also a great performance. It was called ‘the Brooklyn nutcracker’. There were so many things to think about after watching it because it was a pretty in-depth piece of choreography. As soon as they finished the duet, everyone was clapping and cheering.
As everyone was starting to settle down, stop clapping, and finish talking, the choreographer presented a piece to us that she said not many other schools get to view. I guess everyone was happy to know we’re one of the very little percentage that got to see it. It was a hip hop/ballet fusion. Honestly, it looked super amazing because there was this huge piece of artwork in the back, the female dancer was dressed in a black tutu and leotard with graffiti work on it. Definitely, the best dance of the whole entire show. Everyone was amazed, I heard people talking about how the leotard and tutu were such show stoppers. The company bowed, and then we exited the theater and walked back to school to continue a regular school day.
By Talia C., Class 603
Photo credit to Leigh Stumme and Angelique Smith