By: Kevin Modeszto
The Super Bowl is one of the most watched television programs in the world, with this February setting the record for most watched telecast in history. Aside from sports enthusiasts, a separate audience is lured into the hype of the annual event but for different purposes. For them, the halftime show is the main event.
Kean Dance Theatre (KDT) is a non-tryout dance group at Kean University. Every year, they host a big showcase in the spring. The showcase will be held on April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. PM at Wilkins Theater.
The “Super Bowl Halftime Show” will feature various performances from halftime shows over the years.
From Michael Jackson to Beyonce and anything in between, the pool of music to perform is vast. The showcase reflects this diversity through their selection of pieces. Genres of pieces include hip hop, Latin, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, majorette, and spirit (cheer).
Gomez (Left first row) and Quinones (Right first row) leading the group in rehearsal | Credit: Kevin Modeszto
“We thought it would be iconic, I guess,” said Marissa Gomez, Vice President of KDT, on the Super Bowl Halftime theme. Gomez is currently a junior studying early childhood special education.
The finale number incorporated music from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance this February.
The piece is a combination of three genres (hip hop, lyrical and jazz) and is co-choreographed by Gomez and KDT’s Secretary Noelani Quinones, an English education major.
The co-choreographer’s notes for the finale number | Credit: Kevin Modeszto
“We wanted a fun, energetic dance to end the show with, and those are the best crowd pleasers,” said Quinones.
Many variables were factored in for the choreography, such as the different levels of dance experience of each member. Despite this, Quinones explained the process of choreographing in simple terms.
“You just kinda put on the song and improv,” Quinones said.
This variable especially rings true with the closing piece, which has a majority of the performers all on stage together
“..It can be very overwhelming sometimes when we’re practicing. We’re just like, sorry if I hit you there or kick you there…but you can really see the friendships being formed there,” said Skylar Moorman, junior Sociology major. “I see like three four people come in who never knew each other and a couple weeks later they’re inseparable.”
KDT dancers in action rehearsing | Credit: Kevin Modeszto
These sentiments are echoed by Abigail Reynoso, KDT’s social media committee member and a senior currently majoring in Communication Media and Film with a minor in Marketing. Reynoso had no dance experience when she first joined KDT in her freshman year.
“[KDT] made [me] feel very comfortable and helped me a lot with my confidence as well,” said Reynoso.
KDT is more than their showcases and rehearsals. It is a place where meaningful bonds are created.
“KDT is not only a team, but a family,” said RJ Pena, sophomore exercise science major.
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