By Elizabeth Grace ’15, Perspectives Section Editor
Though the drama department’s amazing performances of Almost, Maine have come to a close, the Country Day community can look forward to the next big production: Anything Goes. In line with the imminent start of rehearsals, Mr. Mark Femia, Director of Drama and Vocal Music in the Upper School, started offering tap classes in early September.
Anything Goes, though traditionally associated with tap dancing, actually contains only one tap number that includes the entire company. All of the other songs in the show require more typical forms of musical theater dancing. Even so, tap is very different from other styles of dance, and therefore it is important for those who wish to tap in the show to take these classes before choreography rehearsals begin. Mr. Femia warns that those who wish to tap dance in the musical “are going to find the choreography quite challenging in January if they don’t have a solid foundation.”
While tap can be very difficult, Mr. Femia and Katy Huffman, a local dancer and choreographer teaching the classes every other weekend, are knowledgeable and helpful, demonstrating steps with proficiency and helping us master them with patience. Both are willing to break down the steps piece by piece at whatever speed, making sure no one gets left behind.
These taps classes are designed to incorporate students of all levels of dance experience. While new dancers can learn the basic steps in a supportive environment, experienced dancers can challenge themselves with harder or more embellished steps at the same time. For instance, some may wish to continue perfecting the rhythm and sound of their Maxi Ford step while others challenge themselves to travelling across the stage turning while doing that same step. Although the classes are conducive to dancers of all skill levels, Mr. Femia advises, “Those who are new to tap and want to do well should expect to do some at-home practice.” As with all endeavors, outside practice really makes a difference.
Since the classes started, we have learned a large range of steps. From the basics such as flaps and shuffles to the extremely challenging wings and pullbacks, our widening repertoire makes classes increasingly fun and challenging as we integrate steps into many different combinations.
Though some have participated in these classes every Saturday since they began, even those who missed several can feel included. Connor Wiley ’15, who joined a few weeks in, admitted, “Starting partway is very difficult, but the environment is very inclusive. Most everybody there is either a beginner or hasn’t taken classes in several years.” While by missing classes one will also miss learning certain steps, it is relatively easy to quickly pull aside a friend to go over each step and catch up to the rest of the class.
Though these classes exist to prepare those planning on performing in the musical, anyone interested can participate—and it’s free! Dance classes can be expensive, so this is a great opportunity to try out something you may otherwise have never considering trying. Even though these classes have been going on for many weeks now, anyone can still join, so if you have even the slightest interest, I definitely would recommend giving it a try.
