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!

The Shift

Posted on by Thor

 I went to a tech rehearsal for The Shift at the Mandell Theater in the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803). Larissa Humiston the founder of Emotions Dance was in the lighting booth helping set the lighting cues. I thought I was just sketching an Emotions Dance Company rehearsal but I got to experience so much more.

 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.

The first dance consisted of a troupe of female dancers in black Flamenco dresses with white polka dot frill.  They all moved in graceful synchronous movements and I struggled just to catch one or two dancers. When they spun, their dresses billowed out. During their second run through a small army of young dancers filled the theater seats. They quickly got into costumes and soon where on stage. Some dancers were as young as 5 years old up to maybe 18 years old. They performed to music with a tribal beat and the youngest of them gyrated with stunning athleticism. The choreographer was in the front row to encourage them to push themselves.

Four dancers in black suits and black fedoras danced with Bob Fosse exaggeration to a Michael Jackson song. Their faces were hidden behind the brim of the hat and to begin their chests heaved as if to the sound of their own heart beats. One dancer in particular seemed to have that extra polish that caused me to pause and just watch. None of the acts were in order, each dance company took to the stage when they arrived and then they would file out. It was an exciting and energetic evening that proved that Orlando will keep Dancing.

Showcasing work from the following professional companies and 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

The final performance of The Shift is tonight, Saturday September 15, 2018 at 7:30pm in the Mandell Theater in the Orlando Shakes (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803).

Tickets which are available at the door are

General Admission- $20

Students/Seniors (65+)- $15

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+)