With the current restrictions placed over Saline County and surrounding counties, most graduations, end of year performances, and events have been canceled or postponed. Owner Tamara Howe and the staff at the Tamara Howe School of Dance are getting creative in making their end-of-year performance special and memorable for their families, even if it’s through a screen.
The Tamara Howe School of Dance (THSD) “Virtual Recital” performance experience will be Tuesday-June 1 via Zoom. Students will perform their recital dance, take a look back on the highlights and exciting moments throughout the year, and be celebrated! Costumes will be worn and hair and makeup will be done, just like the real show! Parents and families are encouraged to watch the show online and help participate in the technical elements of the show. Some have even created a “stage” in their home for their dancer!
Howe said, “Our end goal to our season was to finish strong and to create a fulfilling and memorable experience for our families. The dancers have been working for 10 weeks and we are excited to give them an opportunity to perform for family and friends. We teach dance, yes, but there’s something really big that we are teaching during this time. We are teaching our students about change and the ability to not only pivot turn in dance, but that we sometimes have to pivot in life too. Although so much has changed and so much is out of our hands, we have to focus on the future and give these children their opportunity to shine!"
THSD will also have an in person taping of their show June 13. During their Red Carpet Recital Experience, dancers will have the opportunity to perform their dance on the Stiefel Theatre stage complete with full lighting and sound. The dances will be professionally videotaped and will then have a special movie premiere event for families from the comfort of their own homes. Of course, the safety of their students, families and staff are at the forefront of any in-person performance and legal guidelines will be followed before any performance date is reached.