Switch  - A Fusion of Hip-Hop and Ballet
    
‘Switch’, a blend of Hip-hop and ballet, will be presented by Deanna School of Dancing and choreographed by Natalie and Natasha Jayasuriya. It will be held on 6 and 7 August at Bishop’s College Auditorium at 7.30pm. The school, which is a predominantly classical ballet one that has been active for 30 years, has staged many shows including the Nutcracker and Aladdin, with Natasha doing her own hip-hop productions as well. However, “for the first time we are coming together with the senior school of classical ballet section and [Natasha’s] hip hop. We wanted to infuse both art forms together,” said Natalie.
     
The show will play out as a newspaper that comes to life. The school usually comes up with ideas by getting all the senior students together and brainstorming. “It’s a united effort, coming up with an idea for a new show,” Natalie said. “So as per usual we did that and one of the students came up with the idea of the newspaper and that’s how it came to life.”

After that, it just all gradually fell in place with the two of them developing the sort of dances they wanted, and then incorporating them into the various sections. Since a lot of the dances include various dance styles being performed simultaneously, it was a challenge to choreograph. “We had fights over some of our dancers, because the students train in hip hop and classical ballet. The students have been the peacemakers saying they’ll do both and please us both. The challenge makes it interesting; it’ll make the show more unique that way.”

It has been a learning experience for the two of them as well, as they helped each other out on their various styles. “This show has meant a lot to me, because Natasha and I got to work very closely. Previously we’ve handled different sections whereas here we have to work together; we learn from each other, we grow from each other.”
    
The students are extremely excited as well. Karin, who started dancing when she was 3, said “I love doing shows for the glitz, glamour and the sparkly costumes! It’s been more challenging this year, juggling a demanding job with this show has not been easy but when you get to practice it all seems worth it.”

Chathuri, whose win at a dance contest gave her the confidence to join DSD said, “SWITCH will be my second hip-hop showcase. The music in this production is very current, although it does play some old music to capture the older generation. The costumes this year are exquisite. Props to Aunty Jo Jo!”

“The most exciting part of any show is the adrenaline rush you get seconds before you step on stage. When you're all prepped in your costume, waiting in the wings till your song comes on, and the stage lights up to the applause of the audience- that is the best feeling in the world!” Dinendri, a lover of high energy hop-hop, enthuses.

Ellen, a retired rhythmic gymnast who took to dancing as a way of keeping active while being able to creatively express herself, thoughtfully muses, “My favourite part about the show process is watching dancers grow. From choreography, to rehearsals, to getting a number stage-ready, there is such a transformative growth and learning curve. Witnessing dancers come out of their shells and become performers is something that I love to be a part of and am really looking forward to Switch.”

Ultimately, Switch is being performed to encourage young children to take up dancing. “On one stage they’ll see different types of dancing, maybe they’ll like hip hop maybe contemporary or maybe ballet. It’s all there to inspire them.”


Text by Marissa van Eyck