Hosanna Dance Newsletter
New Year Edition 2017 ∙ 104 E Pleasant ∙ Pierre ∙ Artistic Director, Sunny Hannum ∙ Vol 1
Happy New Year!
We are still basking in the afterglow of two successful performances of "A Snow White Christmas" but have already begun preparing our minds for "Esther." We did this show six years ago (Spring 2010) but are planning on doing an entirely new version this time around.
The Esther we did in 2010 had eight guys in it, but only one male dancer. We only have two older male dancers right now and had to call on Brad Bruns to do a major role in the December show of Snow White. Brad stepped in as he has in previous shows and did a fine job of portraying the Hunter in Snow White. I think he even surprised himself as he did some dance movement and partnering. Way to go, Brad!
If anyone has a brother, father, or husband who is good at acting, we will have the following roles available: priest, scribe, assassin, Esther's friend, and two royal guards.
I used the holiday break to finally get extra costumes and props put away from the December show, the costume closets reorganized, Christmas decorations put away, studio cleaned, and a new display done for "A Snow White Christmas."
My wonderful assistants, Josh and Sarah, traveled to Florida with their parents to see relatives. That meant I got to teach their classes Thursday, December 22nd. I especially enjoyed teaching a jazz and tap class.
The entire month of December was a relaxing month for Josh, Sarah, and I as we taught classes to Christmas music and some dances from the past. It was fun for everyone, teachers and students alike.
Ms. Sunny, Ms. Sarah, and Mr. Josh will be traveling to Sioux Falls on January 6 to take students to pointe shoe fittings and to see Dance Gallery's performance of Coppelia on Saturday, January 7. Dancers traveling to Sioux Falls to get their first pair of pointe shoes are Mackenzie Sarratt, Gracie Zeeb, Jessica Saunders, and Olivia Chase.
Make sure you take a look at the calendar.
Several new students will be joining classes in January in every level except Ballet V. We will begin choreography in January and also resume Cecchetti technique studies in preparation for March and June exams. (Hosanna Dance is the only school in Pierre that offers this method that encourages students to be nationally examined. For more information on this method of ballet instruction, click here for the Cecchetti Council of America national website.)
Tentative Casting for Hadassah: The Story of Esther Esther: Kat Bruns
Mordechai: Josh Easter
Queen Vashti: Cassandra Ryckman / Alternate: Deni Zeeb
The King: Dustyn Klave
Haman: TBD
Priest/Scribe: John McVey
Angels & Jewish Women: Ballet V
Jewish Dancers: Ballet III
Vashti's Court: Intermediate Pointe
Persian Dancers: Pre-Pointe
Court Dancers: Ballet IV
Jewish Intercessors: Modern
Palace Children: Ballet II
Garden Nymphs: Ballet I
Jewish Children: Pre-Ballet
Tentative Casting for Hadassah: The Story of Esther Esther: Kat Bruns
Mordechai: Josh Easter
Queen Vashti: Cassandra Ryckman / Alternate: Deni Zeeb
The King: Dustyn Klave
Haman: TBD
Priest/Scribe: John McVey
Angels & Jewish Women: Ballet V
Jewish Dancers: Ballet III
Vashti's Court: Intermediate Pointe
Persian Dancers: Pre-Pointe
Court Dancers: Ballet IV
Jewish Intercessors: Modern
Palace Children: Ballet II
Garden Nymphs: Ballet I
Jewish Children: Pre-Ballet
Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther: 4:14