As the school year ended, exciting announcements in the theater world were made: which shows WHS would be performing next year.
This revealed the Fall musical as “Hello Dolly,” however, bad news struck as Mr. Katz was informed of a licensing issue preventing its production. Creating a sudden change to “Mary Poppins.”
Even still, anticipation for the show begins. A compelling feeling to put on a show recognized by many, if not all, and an ability to explore a style of dance WHS has not seen much of in past years, tap.
“Mary Poppins” introduces the work of a new choreographer at WHS, Eve Brindis. Brindis introduces herself as “a choreographer and a dance teacher in the area. I do a lot of musical theater, but I also do a lot of technique, like ballet, tap, and jazz.”
Brindis hosted a summer tap workshop in which she successfully fit a 6-week tap class into two hours. Many students attended, from incoming freshmen to soon-to-be seniors. While a few students had tap backgrounds, many spent this time learning tap for the first time, such as Axel Lauthner.
Lauthner participated in last year’s “Anastasia,” his dancing experience being limited to it. The workshop helped him work on dance, “a fantastic way to get some tap dancing experience before the show.”
He felt encouraged to try a new skill, working with many other newcomers to break into the world of tap. “I’m excited to see how tap is gonna be utilized in “Mary Poppins,” Lauthner told.
Although new to WHS, Brindis is not new to this district. She has choreographed for West Linn-Wilsonville’s Middle School Musicals (MSM), creating choreography for “Little Mermaid,” “Newsies,” and most recently “Descendants.”
The workshop brought both new and familiar faces to her, many students having worked with her during their time in MSM.
Brindis is an avid lover of “Mary Poppins” and an even bigger lover of tap. She’s ecstatic to choreograph a musical dedicated to the world of tap. She also finds “I’m really looking forward to [working with] a high school age group and introducing people to tap, if they’re not already tappers.”