Momentum 2016 Auditions Kick Off 11th Annual Production

Dancers at Sunday's audition.
Photos by Amy Drozdiak

By Amy Drozdiak

On an otherwise quiet Sunday morning yesterday, there was an air of nervous and excited energy as more than 75 Trinity students gathered at the Bell Center for the auditions of the 2016 Momentum, the annual dance production choreographed and produced entirely by Trinity students.

Students auditioned for a diverse mix of dance styles, including Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Funk, and Tap dancing.

This year marks the show’s 11th annual production, and the producers and choreographers were eager to showcase their dance pieces for the new and veteran dancers at the audition. Choreographers of the Tap dancing piece wow-ed everybody with the unique integration of plastic cups into their tap-dance routine.

"I'm very excited to be on the choreographing side of Momentum now," said Cairo DeGaillard, senior. "It's the perfect challenge for my senior year."

DeGaillard, like many others in attendance, is a veteran dancer who has participated in Momentum productions since her freshman year. Another choreographer, junior Sam Simoneau, values the unifying experience of the show. "It's a way for [dancers] of varying skill levels to come together in this great shared experience."

For dancer Ana Esparza, senior, the show means even more. “Momentum is a chance for me to get back into dance after a bad knee injury, back to something I’ve done my entire life,” she said. “I can’t wait to collaborate with other dancers!”

From left to right: Ana Esparza (senior), 
Emily Taylor (junior), Tyler Johnson (junior)

The auditionees gave their best. “It’s always nice that they give you that second redemption round, because the first time you dance in front of the producers, it’s all nerves and you don’t know what you’re doing,” said Bria Woods, junior, laughing and shaking her head. 

“Momentum is this moment… this moment of adrenaline, jitters, energy, that you get to put out on the stage in one burst for the audience to experience. There’s nothing else like it,” she added.

The audition day was only the beginning of the intensive three-month rehearsal the chosen dancers will take on. The fate of the auditionees will be revealed in a few days.