The Murrieta Dance Project is a top of the line dance studio stationed in Murrieta, California. The studio offers a variety of dance courses ranging from ballet to hip-hop. Their performances are absolutely beautiful and provide a depth that distinguishes them from other talented ensembles.
The studio recently placed first overall in the Showstoppers Anaheim I 2020 competition as a part of the Junior Lyrical Large Group. The winning project is called “Breathing” and was choreographed by Jules Chavarria.
The performance kicks off to a slow guitar tune with the performers standing in place reading through open newspapers. They are dressed in suspenders atop short sleeve white shirts.
Within a matter of seconds, a newscast occupies the airwaves, mentioning Osama bin Laden followed by a school shooting – the tone is rather bleak.
The use of newspaper props and newscasts are prominent throughout the entirety of the show. The dancers continue their contemplation while select individuals start changing their body language to that of disappointment, bowing their heads and bending their backs.
Once all of the dancers change tone, one after the other, they proceed to correct posture. With the newspapers firm in hand, they look towards the skies, dramatically.
Through the use of subtle dance techniques, the dancers end up sitting on the ground effortlessly. The newspaper props are used to wonderful effect, forming the basis of their social commentary.
Sprawled across the floor, the dancers appear lifeless for a moment before starting synchronized, elegant flops – for the lack of a better word. A few members sit on available benches off-center.
Eventually, the performers sit up, quickly grabbing their newspapers and covering their faces. They then proceed to emphatically throw the newspapers at the ground with ferocity. A couple goes on to perform a wonderful little duet.
The choreography continues to pick up pace, with each dancer performing quick, flashy moves. The younger man in the front even performs a flip amid a quick solo. Next, they dramatically rush back to their newspapers before covering their faces yet again.
The crew then pushes a set of platform props into the foreground, their fronts covered in newspaper. A trio of dancers climbs up – this is going to be good. The platform dancers perform a series of unique moves in tandem as the front performers add to the acrobatics.
The front line continues their graceful choreography while another new set starts assembling behind.
The dancers gather into a tight group center stage. They begin “breathing” – except not exactly literally, but through their clever, organic group choreography.
With haste, the entire crew minus one rushes behind the brown platform. The single soloist starts spinning, while her scheming compatriots pop through the platform, creating a dazzling, dramatic scene.
The choreography turns violent as each performer starts ripping their newspapers to shreds before tossing the scraps sky high.
They keep their hands up as the confetti falls to the ground. The music comes to a soft conclusion while the audience lets out one last giant roar.
The Murrieta Dance Project’s performance was stunning. The choreography and execution of the subject matter warrant praise, especially. A lot can be drawn from the Murrieta Dance Project’s “Breathing,” stylistically and symbolically. The performance is riddled with social commentary, reflected in the newspaper props, use of newscasts, and nuances of the choreography. This is high art.
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