As the Fata Morgana dancers took their bows before running off stage on the first night of performances on Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Black Box roared with music and booming applause. Over the course of the show, the crowd’s energy grew from light applause to non-stop cheering for the final solo by Fata’s now–former head, senior Paige Young.
At the beginning of the performance, the entire ensemble, clad in gold-sequined tops and sunglasses, entered the stage to Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights.” The show included other numbers such as “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga, “Popular” by The Weeknd and “Maria” by Justin Bieber.
The performances, which took place Jan. 15–Jan.17, were scheduled for one week earlier but had to be postponed due to the snow. People who bought tickets to the original shows received an email with the options to reschedule their tickets for a new performance date, receive a refund or donate the cost of their tickets to Fata.
The show featured genres including hip-hop, musical theater and more. Fata’s faculty advisor, high school dance and acting teacher Maria Watson, explained that the style of performance is dependent on the dancers’ experience each year. “If you’re a good choreographer, you can work with different levels of dancers within the same dance so that everyone feels comfortable on stage and you showcase their skills,” she said. After auditioning in September, the dancers for each number rehearsed once a week to prepare for the show.
Fata is fully choreographed, designed and performed by students and is open for all students to join, regardless of dance experience. “One of the great things about Fata is that there is such a range of dancers,” junior Zoe Maas, an incoming Fata head for the spring season, said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together regardless of dance experience, because there’s really room for everyone.”
The incoming heads were elected last spring, and since then had been taking responsibilities at rehearsals to prepare for the new season. “They’re training and learning how to do everything,” Watson said.
In addition to dance rehearsals, student light and costume crews worked closely with Fata choreographers to bring the show to life. The lights “really added to the show,” freshman Liv Glendinning said after attending the show on Thursday. “The movement of the costumes is always fun, especially in the jazz dances.”
This year, the group had a larger freshman class than in the past, with nine dancing in the winter show. “It’s a great way to meet upperclassmen,” Watson said. “It ends up being a really tight group because you have to work together.”
Freshman Sophie Tollini, a dancer in Fata, said her favorite part of the club is the community. “Everyone’s really supportive, and even though it’s my first year, I just feel like I fit right in,” Tollini said.
Tollini is a seasoned dancer, having trained for twelve years. She said Fata is unique among all her dance experiences. “It’s different from other competition shows and studios that I’ve been a part of,” Tollini said.
“I’ve never done dance or any kind of performance that requires the energy Fata does,” freshman Nikki Smallwood said.
Senior Ava Hall, who dances and choreographs for Fata, has been participating in the program since her freshman year. Hall choreographed a small group dance to “The Love Club” by Lorde for the winter performance. Hall said she enjoyed having a smaller group, especially with similarly experienced dancers. “You definitely have to keep in mind everybody’s skill levels in order to make it look good, because the goal is so everyone looks good and feels confident on stage,” Hall said.
“I thought it was super fun,” Glendinning said. “I think it’s a really great community event.”
For the dancers in Fata, the engagement with the community and the energy the audience brings to each performance is a highlight. “Everyone dances with more energy when the crowd cheers more,” Smallwood said.
“All the students love coming to it; it’s like a football game equivalent,” Hall added.
“I want to continue building up that community so that everyone feels welcome,” Maas said of her goals as a future head.