Part of the mission of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment is to prepare dancers for the world of entertainment.
In living out that mission, OCU dancers over the years have had the opportunity to take their performances to some pretty cool destinations outside of the Kirkpatrick Auditorium.
From the state鈥檚 centennial celebration in downtown 野狼社区 to the Rose Parade in California, and from professional photo and video shoots to performances in the school president鈥檚 residence, dance and entertainment students are able to gain exposure to a variety of real-world performance situations.
Earlier this month, a group of OCU students got to add another experience to the list 鈥� one that provided an opportunity to welcome the Christmas season while performing alongside an artist who is iconic in 野狼社区.
A troupe of OCU dancers were featured performers at the grand opening of the 野狼社区 Zoo鈥檚 exhibit, which included a live performance by Gayla Peevey, famed singer of the holiday favorite 鈥淚 Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.鈥�
鈥淚t was fun to sing along with (Gayla),鈥� said Abby Hammer, one of the dancers at the event who had the opportunity to share the stage with Peevey.
Hammer and her classmates added to the evening鈥檚 festivities with a preview performance of a high-energy tap routine set to 鈥淗ang Your Lights.鈥� The number is part of the upcoming Holiday Spectacular, OCU鈥檚 annual winter dance extravaganza.
The Holiday Spectacular will be staged in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium Dec. 5-8. Visit the show website here for more info or to get tickets.
Ann Lacy School Artistic Director Tiffany van der Merwe noted that the dance was slightly adapted to suit the unique zoo setting, but was ready to go without needing to rush their rehearsal schedule. The dance company arrived at the zoo hours before the show to familiarize themselves with the venue, don their costumes, and rehearse.
The zoo鈥檚 Safari Lights exhibit has quickly ascended the ranks of beloved holiday traditions in 野狼社区. The event features stunning light sculptures of animals and interactive displays, offering both drive-thru and walk-through experiences. This year, the Star Dance Company took center stage at the zoo鈥檚 entrance plaza, energizing the crowd before the official lighting ceremony.
The company also brought along mascots 鈥� a penguin and a hippopotamus 鈥� adding a whimsical touch to the event. The penguin symbolized the holiday season, while the hippo paid homage to the special guest, Peevey.
OCU dance pedagogy senior and Holiday Spectacular costumer Jessica Neef explained the complexities of the mascot costumes, which require a team effort to manage. 鈥淲ranglers鈥� assist the mascots in navigating the venue safely.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 see very well under all that headgear,鈥� Neef said, noting that the costumes include internal ice packs to keep performers cool, even on chilly November nights. 鈥淲ith the full costume and stage lights, it can get super-hot in there.鈥�
The event also served as a trial run for new, intricate costumes 鈥� tuxedos adorned with LED lights controlled via a smartphone app. These custom-made costumes, designed by OCU professor of arts management and costumer Jessica Telfer, added a high-tech flair to the performance.
The Star Dance Company鈥檚 involvement at Safari Lights was facilitated by several OCU alumni working at the zoo, including Julie Russell-Stanley (BS Dance Management 鈥�09, MFA Dance 鈥�10), the director of corporate relations for the Oklahoma Zoological Society and a former dance school professor.
鈥淗aving taught here, (Julie) is very familiar with what we鈥檙e capable of doing,鈥� van der Merwe said, while also emphasizing the educational value of such off-campus performances. 鈥淭he students learn new problem-solving skills and how to work with different people. It鈥檚 a mirror into the real world where you must adapt to a new environment and make it happen. The ethos of this school is 鈥榬ead about it, lecture about it, and do it.鈥�
鈥淓xperiences like these give our students a leg up as they build their resumes.鈥�
