The Otago Dance Association’s annual showcase is fast-approaching, scheduled for September 28 in the College Auditorium. This year, the ODA’s exec have chosen to base the showcase on Pixar’s Inside Out, the 2015 cartoon movie applauded for its colourful depiction of the inner workings of people’s emotions. Tag yourself, Critic is Disgust (at you if you don’t go to the show).
Co-directors Hannah Lemon and Sophia Vlaar told Critic Te Ārohi that the inspiration for basing this year’s showcase on Inside Out came from the buzz that this year’s sequel received – and likely for the fact that every man and his dog went to see it.
It’s not the first film-adaptation student-run show that Dunedin has seen this year – first Capping Show’s adaptation of Barbie with their ‘Beezie’ show in May, and Med Revue’s ‘Medegascar’ just two weeks ago. However, ODA is hopeful that by branching into 2024 releases, it’ll give them the edge. A cheeky pump of nostalgia for students’ youth with the bright, cheerful characters can’t hurt, either. Hannah and Sophie assure audiences that “there will be a roller coaster of emotions […] and will be moments for all people to feel something.”
The theme is also part of a wider effort from ODA to be more student-oriented (important for a student-run club for students). This started with their regular dance class programmes, running multiple beginner-friendly classes of different disciplines each week – ensuring at least some coordination on the dance floor when PRADA plays on aux this ball season.
The showcase’s dances are created by volunteer student choreographers, each receiving guidance from the directorial team throughout the process of putting together the show. A main cast of nine dancers fill the roles of the emotions, Riley, and her parents. “I got goosebumps during the auditions watching the five emotions dance together,” said Sophie.
Hannah and Sophie promise students a great way to spend your Saturday, with tickets costing less than $20 for the two-hour show. There will be two showings, both on Saturday 28 September – 1pm and 6pm respectively. Ticketing information will be released on September 1st via the ODA Facebook (@otagodanceassociation).