Lifting dancers

Dance jump
This is just one of many examples of the types of lifts this ensemble has been experimenting with. Some lifts are done with the couple facing each other while others are back to back or front to back. Some lifts are as simple as a pencil jump where the girl jumps straight into the air while the man has his hands on her hips. Image courtesy of Kelsey Drapkin.

While the dancers of the spring musical, ‘The Wedding Singer,’ learn choreography, they also have an added challenge: lifting.

They lift both people and weights. Every Monday and Wednesday, this ensemble can be found in the Gregory Center or the hallways near room 257 working out until their muscles ache.

They then travel to the Little Theatre where the harder lifting ensues: lifting people.

“The lifts are so fun and will make the show epic. With the weight lifting, we have really progressed in our ability to do all sorts of lifts,” said Austin Hoard, 11.

For those who have seen the movie ‘Dirty Dancing,’ the lifts this group has to do are much like the ones found in the movie.

“There has been a lot of improvement in the lifts for the show. I’m excited to see it put on the big stage where we will have much more room to fly,” said Rachel Dick, 12.

The new dance styles are very challenging and require immense trust in one’s partner. The girl of the couple will have little to no ability to catch herself if dropped, so the man needs to be able to carry both his and her weight while staying stable.

“I have a great partner. He can lift me without any issues and I trust him to keep me up in the air and not on the ground,” said Zoe Bochner, 9.

With the show moving into the Big Theatre in the upcoming weeks, the ensemble is excited for the greater space to try more of these death-defying lifts. – Posted: Thu, Mar 04 2010 11:33:28 AM EST by Kelsey Drapkin