Every year at the Lancer Dancer Spring Show, over 20 SM East male students are chosen by each of the varsity dancers to perform a small dance during the performance. This year, the show will take place on April 3rd.
Junior Maci Grecian and Fritz Kostner will be participating in the show together for the third time. Kostner has consistently been chosen as Grecian's partner for the show because of his ability to pick up choreography quickly and working to improve each year, according to Grecian.
“I think that he’s gotten a lot more confident with it this year,” Grecian said. “We’re also closer to the front this year, so the pressure is on, and I'm hoping he uses his new confidence to do great.”
The Mancer and Lancer dancers had two practices this year, and each are around 30-45 minutes, along with a more extensive one hour rehearsal on March 31. Typically, when the boys first arrive at these practices, they start by talking and getting to know each other while stretching.
The partner dance has three sections, and in the first part, they will be dancing to a remix of Beyoncé songs that lasts around a minute and a half. Throughout the performance, the boys and girls will have their own parts separate, but then come together at the end for another partner section.
The hardest part for Kostner has been memorizing the dances due to the quick pace at which the choreography is taught by the dancer captains. For Grecian, the hardest part is making sure they are both at the practices because they have busy and conflicting schedules with Kostner playing lacrosse and Grecian having company dance.
Kostner missed one of the crucial practices this year because he accidentally slept through it, so Grecian sent him videos of the routines to help him learn them before the rehearsal.
“I’m going to really lock in on the videos [Grecian] sent me,” Kostner said. “I’ll make sure I have everything locked in by friday and study the film to not let anyone down.”
This year, Kostner has tried to be a leader and help the other Mancer Dancers who have not performed in the show before by dancing and being on count and giving pointers to others.
Before the Mancer Dancers take the stage they have a group huddle to get excited and attempt to get rid of nerves. Kostner this year has a solo part and will be lifted by the other Mancer Dancers.
“I’ve always lived by [the idea] that pressure makes diamonds,” Kostner said. “So when the moment comes, I'm just going to be ready, and it's going to be awesome, [i’ve] just got to trust the team [won’t] drop me.”
Dancing with someone who isn't as well-versed in the routines and choreography can be difficult, according to Grecian, but she has learned that patience is key. Grecian also helps to teach younger girls at her dance studio, which has translated well to these partner dances.
Grecian's favorite part of the Mancer Dancer tradition is seeing how much the guys grow throughout the practices. Usually they come in nervous and don't know what to expect, but by the time the show rolls around, they all end up having a great time, especially on stage, according to Grecian.
“I just love seeing how much they shine on stage,” Grecian said. “If you were to see them on the first practice versus the show you’d be shocked.”
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