Rep Season is in Full Swing at JNDS!!!

November 2012 - by Victoria Kickham

Rehearsals are well underway for this year’s Not the Nutcracker, the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio’s annual holiday concert of Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop dance. This is one of two Repertory Concerts the studio produces each year, and it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season—for performers and attendees alike.  If you don’t know about “Rep,” here’s the scoop: open-class students commit to a 10-week class and rehearsal schedule with a JNDS teacher/choreographer for a two-night performance at Boston University’s beautiful Tsai Performance Center. The concert is always held the first weekend in December. In addition to being a terrific performance opportunity, participating in a Rep show is a great way to connect with other dancers and really sink your teeth into that fabulous choreography you only get a sample of during regular classes.

I have been performing in Rep shows for many years, so believe me when I tell you how much fun this is. I’m thrilled to be performing one of Sue Casey-Murray’s pieces in this year’s show; it’s a pretty, lyrical jazz piece set to Jason Mraz’s I won’t Give Up. Six of us have been working hard since mid-September to expand this popular combo Sue did in class earlier this year. In true Sue fashion, the piece was finished within weeks, our costumes are in and we’re working on expanding it with a companion piece.  I love how well you prepare us, Sue!

For Sue’s Rep, we rehearse every Monday after class (class 6 to 7:30, rehearsal 7:30 to 9). On top of that, all Rep dancers commit to three additional rehearsals for the show: a studio run-through for lighting design and then a technical rehearsal and dress rehearsal the week of the performance. It’s a lot of work, especially since most of the performers work or go to school full time and have busy schedules outside the studio. I’m a little more tired than usual on Tuesday mornings, and show week can be crazy, but it is well worth it to be part of this professionally run, quality dance event. If you’ve never been to a Rep show, what are you waiting for? Be sure to get your tickets for Not the Nutcracker November 30 and December 1 at 8 p.m.

But there’s more: The JNDS pre-professional teen company Boston Youth Moves also performs in the Rep concerts. These kids are fantastic; I’m always anxious to see the new choreography JNDS faculty and guest artists set on them. Recent guest artists have included members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Cirque du Soleil.  Did I mention what a great show this is?

I know all the Rep groups are working hard, and I can’t wait to see the finished pieces. I think I heard an old Madonna song coming from Lil Carter’s rehearsal the other night, and I believe Nikki Sell is cooking up a little Christmas Can-Can (so wish I could dance both of these!). The variety in this show is half the reason to attend. I’m looking forward to November’s lighting rehearsal for a sneak peek.

Visit the studio’s web site for more information on open classes and the repertory concerts; a link for tickets to Not the Nutcracker will be available in November.