For the first time in RUSH history, NW will host a choreographer from Dordt.
Brittney Ryks is a junior at Dordt majoring in K-12 Art Education and minoring in communications. She’s never been a part of RUSH before but is excited to get involved with the showcase.
“This concept of dancing to build community, have fun, encourage one another on a team and honor God through creative and clean dancing kept on repeating in my mind,” Ryks said.
Ryks started up Dordt’s dance team her freshman year. Originally, it was only a dance club, but it eventually was promoted to dance team. She was on the team for her freshman and sophomore year.
Ryks, a Sioux Center native, is a long time fan of RUSH. “I’ve been going to RUSH since high school and have had a desire to be in it ever since,” Ryks said. “I love to find different ways to express what the lyrics are saying through hip hop movements in a dance to make it more of a narrative and promote people to think more about what the lyrics are saying.”
According to Drew Schmidt, director of RUSH, there have been Dordt students involved, but never have they choreographed a dance.
“I know that we’ve had Dordt groups come over before,” Schmidt said. “But this is the first time I believe we have had a Dordt student come choreograph with Northwestern students, which is exciting to me.”
The nature of RUSH is doing it for the sheer joy of dance. Everyone gets cast, because the purpose of RUSH is sharing the unity of art. So why wouldn’t the schools unite?
“If I were to choose one person to come over from Dordt, it would be Brittney,” Schmidt said. “She’s joyful, easy going, and she just wants to do choreography. It could be awkward, it could be a detriment, it could be a hassle and a headache, but it’s not because she’s a wonderful soul.”
Cayla Slattery is one of the dancers in Ryks’ dance.
“I thought it was kind of cool. I was open to something new and different. I think it’s great Dordt students want to get involved with RUSH,” Slattery said.
Slattery thinks her energy and ideas for the dance will be a good contribution to this year’s RUSH.
“She said to be ready to help out and incorporate your personality into the dance,” Slattery said. “She will be choreographing, but I get the vibe we are all going to be working together, so that’s awesome.”
Ryks is excited to dance again and to get to know her dancers more.
“The opportunity to dance, have fun, meet new people and not have to compete but rather share what you’ve created together to the community really excites me,” Ryks said.
This year RUSH will be after Easter break on March 31 and April 2. Remaining dates are yet to be scheduled due to scheduling conflicts with NCDC and a track meet.
