Jumping into “Juliet Letters”

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Vision dancer Ava James performs choreography during summer band practice.

Arabella Villarroel, Staff Reporter

Friday, Aug. 27, at the varsity football game against Cedar Park, the Vision Dance Company had their first performance of the season. Dancers have been learning choreography for this year’s show, “Juliet Letters”.

“I love the show so far,” senior Emma Parker said. “Juliet Letters is a modern approach to the story of Juliet. It’s gonna be so cool.”

Vision dancers had two and half weeks of summer band rehearsals. They had 9 hour days running from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“The hardest part of practice is the last hour,” Captain Emerson Mader said, “because you’re really tired and the heat really gets to you.”

And now that school has started, they have after-school rehearsals three times a week.

“We have had intense practice,” Vision Director Katie Hopkins said. “There’s a lot of time going into making our show fantastic.”

This was the first show for new members of the dance team, but for some veterans as well due to COVID-19.

“I’m so excited to be able to make connections with the audience,” Mader said. “And to be able to showcase what we have of the show so far to everyone watching.”

Dancers have dedicated their time into preparing to starting off the season strong and trying to bounce back from last year. 

“My favorite part of practice is seeing all the Vision dancers working hard and working together,” Hopkins said. “I get most proud and excited when I see the dancers taking initiative and helping each other out and being proactive. It really just shows that we’re all in this together, and we all have a common goal.”

From summer all the way through the school year thus far, dancers have committed to building the show. They have overcome the challenges from last year and are putting their best foot forward to start this marching season right.

“Honestly, my favorite part about performing again is the people,” Parker said. “When you get to do your makeup, get ready, and play music. You become such a family. And when it comes to performing, when you go out there and you smile at everyone, they are like your sisters.”