Studio 3, the Bridgehampton dance facility serving students from Southampton to Montauk, will stage “Motion Pictures,” a tribute to film through dance, this weekend at Southampton High School.
The show is the culmination of the 2017-2018 school year for Studio 3’s 97 local dancers. All of the dances on the program are originally choreographed works by Studio 3 teachers and choreographers Diane and Meredith Shumway, Jenna Miller, L’aura Vakar and Thomas Gallo. Among the films and franchises that the dancers will draw upon are “Black Swan,” “Harry Potter,” “Center Stage,” “Indiana Jones” and “Last of the Mohicans.”
“It’s important for me as a teacher, to figure out ways where my students will be inspired and stay inspired when they dance,” Meredith Shumway said in a statement. “When a child is passionate about the story or theme of something they are performing, in this case movies, they get into it more and in turn, that shows on stage performance wise and also technique wise. We get so excited as teachers when the students get excited about what they are dancing. It makes our passion also come out as choreographers to create some of the most incredible original pieces.”
Diane Shumway, the director and founder of Studio 3, noted that Studio 3 teachers are given the freedom to decide the film, music, choreography, costume and lighting design. “None of our dances or choreography is ever repeated or re-done, which constantly keeps our students growing and evolving with the dance world and gives our teachers an opportunity to express themselves through their visions and works,” she said.
“Motion Pictures” will be staged on Friday, May 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 12, at 1 p.m. at the Southampton High School auditorium. Tickets are $25, available at the door. The box office opens one hour prior to showtime. For more information, contact diane@dancestudio3.com, call 631-537-3008 or visitdancestudio3.com.