The hushed voices, the tangible anticipation, the audience's cheers as you’re introduced, the dimness of the stage as you walk on, and then the igniting warmth of the lights as you become the thing everyone turns their gaze to. This is what the first 20 seconds between waiting offstage and starting a dance are like. Whether it feels like 20 seconds, 20 hours, or 0.2 seconds, that varies on the person.
Some people live for those 20 seconds and the excitement it holds. While others aren’t as keen for the nerve-racking wait time before putting themselves at the center of attention. Nevertheless, whether you crave the spotlight or shy from it, it’s a part of something all dancers do: we perform.
Dance club is like a family, and like all families, we care about each other despite any arguments that may arise. For some, I’m sure this club means even more than becoming part of a family. Dance club helps people find themselves or parts of them they didn't know they had before. This seems to hold true for graduating senior Dylan Romani, who not only danced in 12 classes this semester but also worked to perfect his vision onstage, through teaching Hip Hop 2. This is how he replied when asked what "dance" meant to him.
“Expression, for lack of a better word. It’s so cliché but that’s what it means. I believe that anyone can dance, I don’t care if you take classes, I don’t care if you dance in a club, I don’t care if you dance in your bed, in your shower. I believe that if you can move your body, you can dance. Because I feel like when the music comes on, whatever your body is doing to the music, whatever your body needs to do to react to the music, that’s dancing . . . It's so cool to see bodies react to sound and how that affects your moves, and how that affects your mood, and how you can express a story through dance. So, it’s all about expression.”
There's something truly unique about joining a community of people from all different backgrounds and interests but who all have something in common - a love for dance. This passion is what brings people together on stage, in the dance studio and out. It helps us accept each other for our flaws, challenge our strengths, celebrate our accomplishments, and lift each other up after falls.
The close friendships you form and the freedom of expression are what make becoming a part of dance club so worth it. President of dance club, Michael Wallmann, explains one his favorite parts of dance simply, "just being able to express yourself - especially when you're having a hard time and you can just dance and go into a whole new place. It's like you're not even yourself anymore, you can just be in that moment and focus on the dance and on the emotions."
To me, the very best part comes at the end. After the last moves have been executed on stage and you’re left panting, out of breath, you grip your pose until the lights have faded out completely. The crowd's cheers go up and in the darkness you can't stop smiling. Leaving the stage sweaty, and head held high, you know you gave it your all. There's no better feeling so happy, and bittersweet.
#ForeverInTheMuseum
