Evening of Dance: Tables Turned
The May sunshine has begun to warm our campus, and spring is in full bloom. Students spread across the green fields playing Spikeball, their laughter echoing across Brentwood. Once the sun sets, many huddle in the library with textbooks and highlighters, cramming for AP exams. But last Wednesday night, a different kind of excitement built at the Killy Theatre. Students streamed through the theatre doors with anticipation for the annual Evening of Dance. This year's show, Tables Turned, showcased the incredible talent and pieces our dancers have been developing throughout the year.
The show opened with the amazing "Dust in the Wind," which featured the entire dance company in unison. The advanced team began with intricate movements and controlled leaps across the stage. Then came a breathtaking silent section where Giselle and Dance Captain Kaitlyn took the stage with nothing but the sound of their movements on the floor. The intermediate group then joined, adding layers to the performance with their synchronised movements in formations that shifted and flowed throughout the space. “Dancing a piece like this was extremely fun as it made me feel connected to everyone around me, to the entire dance company”, commented Isaac K, Whittall ‘25.
The ballet adaptation of "Peter Pan" transported the audience back to the childhood wonderland of Neverland with its intricate choreography. Dancers floated and spun as Peter and Wendy, and then as the mischievous Lost Boys with playful jumps and turns. Captain Hook's scenes brought both humour and technical skill to the stage, with precise pointe work and expressive faces. Just as captivating was the advanced dance team's hip hop piece, choreographed by Sarah D, one of Brentwood’s Dance Captains, whose experience with Team Canada's hip hop team was evident in every beat. The dancers moved with style and attitude, performing complex footwork sequences, freezes, and formations that had the audience cheering. Captain Kaitlyn T, Alex ‘25, later said, "As dancers, we feed off the crowd’s energy when we perform, and this piece was especially fun because the audience was so engaged and energetic”.
Behind every pirouette and leap stood the Dance program’s dedicated teachers, Ms Staples and Ms Gutierrez, who transformed talented students into the confident performers we saw on stage. They spent countless hours after school working with students, fine-tuning movements and encouraging creative expression. The Theatre Production team added magic with lighting that enhanced each performance, allowing the show to run like clockwork. “As a first-year teacher with the Brentwood Dance Company, I am truly inspired by the grit, perseverance, and passion that define this program,” said Ms Gutierrez. “Under the incredible guidance of Amy Staples, students are not only challenged and deeply supported as they grow into confident, enthusiastic dancers. Watching their collective love for this art form blossom through performances, practices, and competitions has only deepened my appreciation for dance. It’s an honour to be part of this journey and to witness the remarkable talent that shines on stage”.
Tables Turned was evidence of what our students are capable of when they are supported, when they are challenged, and when they are given space to shine. As the final bow was taken, many individuals in the audience rose to their feet to celebrate this unforgettable performance. For our graduating dancers, who were performing for the last time, it was the perfect ending to their chapter at Brentwood.
Pearl N, Hope ‘25