Adrenaline Dance Team consists of seven dancers who come together twice weekly to learn and rehearse dance routines of various styles. From lyrical and jazz to hip-hop and musical theater, the girls devote much of their time and energy to the team and their craft.
The Adrenaline Dance team performs at halftime shows, school assemblies, and for prospective students, as well as the highlight events of the winter and spring concerts.
“My dance team consists of 7 girls who all have various knowledge of various types of dance. Meaning, we kind of try to cover the spectrum,” dance team moderator Donna Reese prefaced, stressing how the value of diversity in Adrenaline is the first concern. “We don’t just do jazz, we don’t just do hip-hop. So when you audition for the dance team, you have to be able to do all the different dance forms.”
The team is formed in early September, leaving various choreographers and the dance team members only a few months to prepare for each concert. Due to the lack of time, the process of preparing for the performances begins early. After the dance team has been established, Reese can asses the kind of pieces that she believes illuminate the dance concert. The concerts that are of great importance and anticipation. They highlight the intense work that the dancers put in for months.
“What I do is, I look at who is on my team, and then I say ‘What would best serve their interests?’ ‘What would make them stand out and shine in the dance concert?” Reese explained.
The production of these seasonal dance concerts may seem effortless, but there is a long hard process behind all of it.
“I like to bring alumnae in because there’s a connection. We have two alumnae and they were both on the team when they were in high school, so they understand the importance of it,” Reese described. “They’re both talented. They both bring in choreography that’s challenging and really displays our girl’s talents.”
There is so much thought that the Adrenaline Dance Team moderator and choreographers put into the show. They consider any factors that will showcase the dancers to the best of their abilities. However, for the dance concert to be a success, there must be equal effort put in by the dancers themselves.
“It’s so important to remember to buy everything,” dance team member Victoria Castilla-Toro explained about purchasing costumes on time.
Just like any team, the girls on Adrenaline hold themselves and each other accountable for being ready in time for the concert.
“Always making sure you’re warmed up to do everything as best as you can,” Castilla-Toro added. “Truly, mentally preparing for tech rehearsal especially, and really making sure that your teammates are caught up,”
