The Orchesis dance troupe performed their spring show “Beyond the Horizon,”  this past Friday and Saturday, in the auditorium, showcasing months of hard work. Many of the pieces were choreographed by the upperclassmen, displaying the dancers’ originality in the show.

Junior Katy Maxwell, with the help of senior Rachel O’Bryan, choreographed the dance, “While You’re Away”, inspired by her brother in the military. Together they created a dance that supported a good cause by encouraging the audience to donate to the armed forces.

“Choreographing a dance about my brother was absolutely amazing. Everyone in the dance was so emotionally invested and I’m so grateful for that. It was just so different because I was so close to the meaning behind it,” Maxwell said.

The girls start practicing the week before school starts to learn the show’s finale and opening dance that includes everyone. As for the rest of the year, they practice two to three times a week.

During tech week, the girls work together to set up the lighting and staging for each dance. The final details are figured out that week and the show starts to come together.

“I like seeing the juniors each year during tech week [because they] start to step up and take responsibility along with the seniors,” Maxwell said.

There are few performances throughout the year: one in the spring and fall, a football game, and at the Fall and Winter pep assemblies. Their major performance is in February because it is their last show of the season.  

“We work on these dances from the time school starts [to now], so we just want to make the best show possible that everyone will love,” Maxwell added.