What is Sarabande anyway?

 

The Sarabande Repertory Dance Ensemble of Tufts University is a group of dancers who work together each semester to choreograph, produce and perform shows for live, on-campus audiences. The dancers are selected through an audition process and most have had training in ballet, jazz, modern or tap. The variety of talent the group attracts always results in a diverse showcase of dances, and is a great group to be involved in for any dancer that wants to continue dancing, performing, and/or choreographing throughout their time at college.

Purpose and Commitment:

  • The purpose of our group is to bring dancers together to be able to have fun, create new pieces, and display their talent. Each person has the opportunity to participate as much or as little as they want to, depending on their time constraints and other activities. At minimum, a dancer can be in one dance a semester, attending 1 hour of rehearsal a week and group meetings bi-weekly. Once showtime comes around they must be available for more rehearsals, but overall the time commitment does not have to be grand to get the full experience of Sarabande. However, if someone wants to get fully involved, there are many ways to do so. Sarabande has a board that makes sure the company runs smoothly, and the members are chosen through a vote each semester. Furthermore anyone has the opportunity to choreograph a piece of their own and participate in as many dances as they can stay commited to, be it one or eight. If you're looking for a small dance group in which you can ger to know the other dancers well and feel important, Sarabande is definitely worth auditioning for. And of course, even if you aren't a dancer, the shows are always great!

Board Members : Spring 2009

President: Rachel Zar

Secretary: Alyza DelPan-Monley

Treasurer: Cassie Wallace

Producers:

Lindsay Voorhees & Christina Aguirre

Public Relations:

Marissa D'Ambra & Pheobe Pickering

Webmaster: Alyssa Trevelyan

Process:

1.

We begin each semester by holding auditions to find new members for the company to replace those who have graduated, are studying abroad, or are taking the semester off. At the auditions, prospective dancers are evaluted based on their technique in ballet, jazz, modern and tap. Then, dancers are admitted to Sarabande after a full group discussion and decision has been made. The number of dancers over the years in Sarabande has ranged from around 18 to 30, depending upon what type of group the current members are trying to create.

 

2.

After new dancers have been accepted, we begin right away with piece showings, where the dancers who want to choreograph for the semester show everybody their music and some choreography to give a general idea of what they want their piece to look like, and what style it will be. Everybody is then given equal opportunity to sign up for the dances they would like to be in. Once everyone has signed up, rehearsal times are scheduled for the semester, each piece receiving an hour of time a week in either the dance studio or the lab space in Jackson Gym.

 

3.

Board meetings are held weekly, and full group meetings are every other week to check in with how things are going and to plan either the Fall Supershow or the Spring show. A few weeks before the performance, 'piece showings' are held to give everyone a chance to see what everybody else is working one, and to allow the choreographers to evaluate how much work needs to be done and receive feedback from the other dancers.

4.

Once showtime comes around, everyone needs to be available for extra spacing, tech and dress rehearsals in order to make things run smoothly on the night of the show. Working together, and judging by past audience reactions, everything comes together for a spectacular performance in the end!