Emotions Dance Auditions

Posted on by Thor

I went to an Emotions Dance audition. I have been sketching this dance company founded my Larissa Humiston for years and I am always curious to see the new talent that might joint its ranks. The Emotions Dance Studio is in a new location since the last time I had sketched there. The parking lot  in front of the large building was full so I circled around the block to search for paring. Right behind the building was a parking lot for the Sun Rail which was quite convenient. Next to the building was a sink hole filled with cat tails and many loud croaking frogs.

The dance studios were upstairs. Many pictures lines the walls of the stairwell highlighting many moments in the dance companies history. On the door Emotions was broken down into words signifying each letter. Excellence, Motivation, Opportunities, Teamwork, Individuality, Open Communication, Nurturing,and Self love. I arrived a bit early along with some dancers who were planning to audition.

The dance studio was spacious. The front wall was covered with mirrors along with black curtains which could be drawn to stop dancers from watching themselves. Larissa lead everyone in some rigorous warm ups and dance moves. She liked to joke that she is getting creaky with age, but she was demonstrating every difficult move for the new comers. Each dance move had an  exotic French name for it. I kind of wish there were French terms for sweeping fluid lines of crisp sharp and angular lines. I might make teaching art so much more exotic.

The professional dancers were also in the room so if someone needed to watch how a move was done they could watch a pro for answers. There was just one male dancer auditioning among the 20 of so dancers. I would think that raised his chances of being cast.

Everyone did very structured routines which looked exhausting. The dancers then broke up into groups to do a series of moves across the floor set to music. Mixed in to these moves were moments of improvisation. As the name of the dance company suggests the key was to express emotions through movement.

If you want to see Emotions Dance in person check out The Shift: Choreographer’s Showcase happening at Central Florida Community Arts Black box Theatre (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32804) on June 18, 2019 at 6 PM.The Shift in partnership with Emotions Dance Inc, occurs three times per year throughout Central Florida and provides a “preview” of professional contemporary, modern, jazz, and ballet companies season of works. Audience members will have a chance to meet the directors and choreographers after the showcase and find out more about the abundant and diverse professional companies in the area. Audience members will also have a chance to purchase tickets to upcoming performances and events with discounts and special VIP experiences.

Featuring works from:
Emotions Dance
Crawford Jazz Project
Thomas Wilkins
Florida Dance Theatre
Coco Loupe
Ariel Clarke
Tori Sarau
CG and Dancers

Tickets are $20for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
If the 6pm show sells out, they will be adding an 8pm show. One night only!

National Dance Day in Orlando

Posted on by Thor

The 6th Annual National Dance Day was held at various locations around Orlando like the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Studio K Orlando, and ME Dance. The multi day event offered free educational classes, professional showcases and community participation.

Free performances and classes, in ballet, modern, improvisational movement, Afro-Latin and other genres, took place all day Saturday. Classes are available for different levels of skill. I went  to Emotions Dance Company (111 North Longwood Street, Longwood, FL, 32750). I  sketched while dancers stretched and warmed up. With everyone constantly moving the sketch was a challenge to say the least.

I then sat in on a Latin Dance class. I finished this second sketch quickly because I decided to give the dance moves a try. There is a whole lot of fancy footwork in Latin Dance and I was just trying to keep up.

I have a new respect for dancers who can keep up that pace. The Dizzy Feet Foundation established the day to improve and increase
access to dance education in the United States. As part of its support,
the foundation produces and distributes instructional videos featuring
dance routines for the public to learn for fun.

Other cities that participate in National Dance Day include Los Angeles,
where activities take place at the downtown Music Center; and
Washington, D.C., where events are hosted by the Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts.

National Dance Day

Posted on by Thor

I went to Emotions Dance Studio (111 N Longwood Street #201, Longwood, FL 32750) on National Dance Day. Emotions Dance was founded in 2007 by Artistic Director and Choreographer Larissa Humiston.
Emotions Dance consists of a professional contemporary dance company
that focuses on social and environmental awareness through the art of
dance, dance education training at the organization’s state of the art
dance studio, and programs that enrich the local community. The
organization emphasizes strong technical training and education combined
with passionate artistry.  Through inspiring performances,
arts-education programs, and active community outreach the company
touches thousands of people of all ages, races, and economic
backgrounds.

For National Dance Day there was a series of performances followed by classes which were free for anyone who wanted to try. When I was done sketching, I joined in and tied some Salsa Dancing.

The next chance to  see Emotions Dance in action will be at The Shift on September 14 and 15, 2018. The
Shift is an annual production that showcases work from professional
companies and up and coming choreographers in the Central Florida area.
The goal of The Shift is to showcase new works to the Central Florida
Community in the spirit of collaboration and exploration of dance as an
art form.

Showcasing work from the following professional companies/individuals:

  • Aretuza’s Ballerina Project
  • Florida Dance Theatre
  • Emotions Dance Inc
  • Ellie Vie Co
  • Crawford Jazz Project
  • Marshall Ellis Dance
  • Still Moving Dance
  • Vincent Sanrocco Dance
  • Inez Patricia School of Dance
  • Tori Sarau
  • CG and Dancers
  • Thomas Wilkins

Tickets go on sale August 10, 2018.

Presale (Until Sept 5)- $18 GA   $14 Students/Seniors (65+)

Emotions Dance Company presents Element Earth.

Posted on by Thor

Emotions
Dance Company explores the relationship we have with each other as well
as with our planet using the elements of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air.
This professional performance carries a message of perseverance of the
Earth and of dance as an art form. Emotions Dance Company founder, Larissa Humiston did much of the choreography, and the guest choreographer was Carrie Crawford (Crawford Jazz Project).

I went to a dress rehearsal to sketch. The dance routines revolve around the elements of Earth, Fire, Water and Air.  There were 15 dance routines in all, some involving much of the company to an exhilarating solo performance called Last Breath. I am always looking for dancers who are able to express emotions through their facial expressions as well as their movements and some dancers performed above and beyond. Dancers in the sketch were pulled from various dance routines over the course of the run through. 

One dance called Forest Fire had two dancers in red tights acting as flames that then consumed two dancers in neutral colored tights who were the trees. Elements 1 and Elements 2, were full company productions in which dancers personified all the elements that were used as inspiration throughout the show.

The performance of Element Earth is Friday, June 9th from 8PM to 9:30PM. Orlando Shakes 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida 32803. Tickets are available at the door for $20 and $15 for students.