PerformingArts
Compiled from Harker News Online by Debbie Cohen, Igor Hiller, Zach Jones and Catherine Snider
‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Garners 11 Nominations in Top Honor Awards
Photos by Kyle Cavallaro and Harker’s middle school yearbook staff
Dance Jamz Electrifies Crowd Always the crowd pleaser, Dance Jamz, the middle school’s annual early spring dance show, again left audiences wanting more. Filling the Blackford Theater for a four-show run, the March show featured 169 dancers (20 more than last year) from all middle school grade levels. Dance Jamz 2012 encompassed a series of elaborate routines, covered varied dance styles and included more male performers than ever before. Middle school dance teacher Gail Palmer, who directed the show, said she was excited about watching Harker’s middle school program grow. With more students taking classes and becoming technically skilled dancers, she hopes her students continue to follow their passion for dance well into high school and beyond. She noted that Dance Jamz would not be possible without the tireless effort of countless volunteers who ensure it runs smoothly, as well as those who give to Harker’s annual campaign, which funds the program. From the first energetic piece, “This Place About to Blow,” to the final number, “Fame,” Dance Jamz entertained and delighted audience members with its stunning variety of dance styles, music and costumes. 2 8 H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY
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The 2012 Stage Top Honor Awards recognizes outstanding work by Bay Area high school musical theater programs, and the cast and staff of the Conservatory’s spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” received 11 nominations this year, resulting in one win for the coveted best chorus award. Four judges, each one a theater professional, attended performances at the 15 participating schools and completed lengthy and detailed evaluations, offering feedback on everything from the ushers to each cast member and every technical element of the show. The critiques were then mailed to the directors to share with their casts. Harker’s upper school musicals have received a total of 24 nominations in the contest’s three years of existence, with five wins to date. While excited by the nominations, Lang-Ree is firm that, “We produce musicals so that we can learn from and enjoy the process – we are not in it to win a prize. That’s our philosophical stand, as we are always going to do our best, grow, stretch, fail, succeed and try again, regardless of whether we choose to be a part of an adjudication or competition.” Check out the HNO story for full details of the process and the nominees!