When RUSH began in 2004, it was a very simple process. There were maybe three or four dances with only one person putting the lights together. Today it consists of fourteen dances with eleven different light designers and a light crew of seven. It is a fun, colorful performance with many technical light cues matching movements specific to each dance.
“Just as dance is an art, lighting is also an art,” said RUSH faculty adviser Drew Schmidt. “Tec Theater is servant art. We do the job even if people don’t notice.”
Before rehearsals began, the light crew was busy in the theatre taking down old lights and setting up new ones. This process takes hours as it includes lots of equipment, machines, and complex tools.
“I get to just take what’s there and create something cool,” said light designer and dancer Julia Van Dyk. “I tried to work with both the music and the movement to build lights that would help tell the story of the dances.”
This year RUSH is also introducing a wide variety of different styles of dancing. In the past many RUSH dances have been hip hop. Although there will still be a few hip hop dances this year there will also be contemporary, Bollywood, jazz, and more.
“The audience should expect some amazing performances,” said senior choreographer Madison Raska. “From Bollywood to hip hop to ballet and everything in between, RUSH is a lot of fun this year with a lot of different styles of dance.”
The goal of RUSH is to give everyone a chance to display their joy and creativity through the art of dance whether that be on stage or behind the scenes. RUSH gives students a chance to cheer on their friends and classmates while telling a story.
“Time flies by with spice and variety,” said Schmidt.
RUSH was kicked off this year by RUSHNEON held on Wednesday night. This performance was open only to NWC students through a ticket given out by a RUSH dancer. RUSH was also held on Thursday night at 7 and 9:30 pm. The last performances will be held on Saturday starting with a show at 4 pm. The last two shows will be at 7 and 9:30 pm.
“The audience can expect a clean, enjoyable hour and fifteen minutes,” said Schmidt, “you will truly experience the dancers’ joy.”
