Final Photo Essay (Van Pate)

 

The University of Maryland’s Ballet Club held its Spring Showcase on Saturday May 2. The club performed parts of the 1841 ballet Giselle, as well as contemporary dances the members put together. Each photo is supposed to represent the ballet club preparing for the final performance, and also scenes from the final performance.

              The first photo is one of a ballet dancer who is doing a plank, while the second photo is the same dancer stretching before dancing. These photos are meant to show that dancing is both an art and a sport. The third photo is a sit-up workout routine that the entire group is doing. This is meant to also show that dancers need to warm up the same as athletes do and that dancers are supposed to be athletic.

              The fourth, fifth, and sixth photos are meant to showcase dancers at a ballet bar. Ballet bars are important tools used to practice ballet, and each photo is meant to showcase how dancers use ballet bars. The fourth photo is supposed to showcase the entire club practicing at a ballet bar, whereas the fifth and sixth photos showcase dancers at the bar and their facial reactions.

              Photos seven, eight, and nine are more bar photos, but are meant to show close ups of feet and facial movements. Photo seven is a ballet dancer’s feet in resting position, with the photo meant to show different feet positions a ballet dancer must have. Photo eight is of a ballet dancer at the bar. This photo is different from the other bar photos because it shows the dancer and her standing on one of her toes. It’s meant to showcase toe positions. The ninth photo is of the same ballet dancer and a close up of her feet, with the photo showcasing her standing on her toes on one foot and showcasing the back of the other foot.

              Photos 10-12 capture the club members dancing during a rehearsal. Photo 10 is of a close up of a member trying to perfect the choreography. Photos 11 and 12 are of the entire group rehearsing, with photo 11 focused on arm movements, and photo 12 focused on foot and leg movements.

              The 13^th-18^th photos are from the actual dance recital that took place on May 2. The 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th photo are from the performance of Giselle. The 13^th photo is a scene where the main protagonist is visiting a village. The 14^th photo is after the main protagonist dies and becomes a part of a group of female spirits that seek revenge on their ex-lovers. And the 15^th photo is when the protagonist’s soul is able to rest in peace and move on to the afterlife.

              The 16^th photo is from a contemporary dance that some of the members did dancing to the song Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey. The 17^th and 18^th photos are from the end of the performance, with the 17^th photo being the final bow, and the 18^th photo being the final group photo.

              All of the photographs are meant to showcase the hard work that the club put into the performance and what the members did during rehearsals and the final performance. 

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