So We Think We Can Dance

For those who have seen the Darien Art’s Center’s Dance Company in action, their passion for excellent performance is apparent. Give those students a mission, however, and you can see their dedication.

Last year, the students produced “So We Think We Can Dance” from the ground up: publicizing the show, choreographing dances, even making videos to show between dances to entertain the audience while they changed costumes. The show was a sold out smash, leaving audiences in awe of their hard work, dedication and talent.

Jordan Cassetta, her sister Ashley Cassetta, and their friend Hanna Kalhert return as the show’s Producers. Jordan says the three of them “love learning to dance!” Proceeds from the show will benefit the Junior and Senior Dance Company by bringing more workshops and master classes to the Darien Arts Center.

Between the holidays, mid-terms, dance classes and other performances, the time-frame to mount the show would be tricky, and they would miss the assistance of Bonnie Gombos, Company and DAC Dance director. Undeterred, the three girls rallied support from the DAC, volunteers and sponsors to be sure that the benefit could take place.

The show, titled “So We Think We Can Dance”, features new dances choreographed entirely by DAC students. Dozens of dancers from the Junior and Senior Companies signed up to participate. Jordan says the other Dance Company girls were happy to jump in and help as well: “We’re happy that the younger and the older dancers have the chance to work together for this. We really feel like this proves what good teammates we are.”

During rehearsals, the girls work through the dances and plan who’s going to hang posters, what the lights should look like and every other aspect of the production. “We’ve learned so much about the work that goes into putting on a show,” says Ashley Cassetta, “and we’re so happy to be doing it again!”

“I’m excited to see them go above and beyond because they love to perform so much,” says Gombos, who has taught many of the kids since they were as young as 3 years old. “I’ve seen the dances they have planned, and they’re beautiful!”

“So We Think We Can Dance” will take place at the DAC’s Weatherstone Studio on Saturday, January 5th at 7 pm and Sunday, January 6th at 3pm. Tickets are $10 at the door and may be reserved by emailing Bonnie@darienarts.org. A reception will follow the performance.