Stevenson High School provides dance as a creative and rewarding art experience where artistic integrity and appreciation are developed. Dance is a physical and mental discipline. Students are provided opportunities to develop body strength, agility, coordination, creative problem solving skills, organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively in cooperative learning groups. They gain self-confidence, self-discipline, and satisfaction in movement. Dance students are given clear course targets and they are assessed on these targets regularly. All dance students are required to purchase and wear appropriate attire as designated by the dance teacher.
All incoming freshmen can take a dance course. This course may be used in lieu of Physical Education and satisfies the PE credit. (Colleges recognize this as a Fine Arts credit as well.)
What style of Dance is taught at Stevenson High School?
Stevenson Dance is a contemporary-based program.
Which Dance classes are open to freshmen?
Classes open to freshmen include Dance 1, 2, 3 and 4.
How do I know in which level I should enroll?
All incoming freshmen interested in an upper-level dance course (Dance 2, 3 or 4) must attend a placement assessment. Based off the assessment, students will be given the appropriate level placement.
All other students may register for Dance 1 with no audition necessary.
To find out more about Freshmen Dance Placements, click here.
What if I have additional questions?
If you have additional questions please contact the Dance Office at 847-415-4761.
Auditions for Mélange and Repertory Dance Companies will be held in room 2010 on December 8 and 9 from 3:45-6pm. Students should sign up with the QR code to see more detailed information. Students will learn a movement phrase and perform a short solo of their own choreography. The dance companies perform in the Spring Dance Concert.
For more information and to sign up for auditions, click here.
2022-2023 Dance Placements for Transfer Students and
Current Student Reassessment
Prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the Dance Department will be holding a placement reassessment. We added this additional event to accommodate transfer students and those adding dance to their schedule after placements or over summer. Those already registered who believe their skill set has significantly improved over summer or since their initial assessment may also attend. We want to be sure everyone is placed appropriately for the 2022-2023 school year.
Dance Placement Reassessment:
Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022
Stevenson High School in Dance Studio Room 2010
9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
Please fill out the Google Form (found below) if you plan to attend. We will send out the official sign up with more detail about the placement in July so watch for that!
We also have a great opportunity for students to participate in the Mélange and Repertory Dance Companies! Students in these companies choreograph and perform their own works in the Winter and Spring Dance Concerts. Open Auditions and placements into each company will be Tuesday, Aug. 23 and Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 3:30-7 p.m. in Room 2010. Again, please fill out the Google Form (found below) if you plan to attend.
The Mélange Dance Company is composed of advanced technical dancers who are interested in exploring more about the art of choreography. Members of the dance company will choreograph, teach, and perform dances enhancing their well-rounded dance education. The Company consists of freshmen through senior dancers who perform in all Stevenson Dance productions. Students choose their music, movement, costumes, and lighting for production.
MEETS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-6:30 p.m. in the Dance Studio, Room 2010-2112.
COMMITMENT
Dancers perform in the Winter and Spring Dance Concerts as well as outside performances. Students also attend the Illinois High School Dance Festival and other exciting field trips.
REQUIREMENTS
Students must be enrolled in a SHS Dance class.
JOIN
Auditions are held in December and May. Students may contact the dance teachers for more information.
Repertory Dance Company enriches a dancer’s artistic integrity, creativity, versatility, performance quality, and movement vocabulary in a vigorous and disciplined setting. Repertory dancers will choreograph, teach, and perform dances enhancing their well-rounded dance education. Company is open to freshman through senior dancers who perform in all Stevenson dance productions.
MEETS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school from approximately 3:45-6:30 p.m. in Dance Studio 2010-12.
COMMITMENT
Technical rehearsals, dance performances, and dance-related field trips. Dancers will perform in the Winter and Spring Dance Concerts as well as outside performances. Dancers will also attend field trips.
REQUIREMENTS
Students must be enrolled in a SHS Dance class.
JOIN
Company auditions are held in May and December in the Dance Studio, Room 2010.
Each dance was chosen via an audition process, and the choreographers developed the concept and cast the dancers for their pieces under the mentorship of their directors. Meet our guest choreographer Mindy Jackson here and view the concert program.
Virtual Winter Dance Concert 2020
The 2020 Virtual Winter Dance Concert featured students who choreographed small group works from the Concert Dance Class and the Mélange and Repertory Dance Companies.
