While most students are just beginning their spring sports practices, WHS’ Window Dance Ensemble has already plowed through a sizable chunk of choreography for their show in May, having been rehearsing since February 23rd.

Window Dance Ensemble is a student run dance company with Mr. Weingartner as adviser and Ms. Aresco taking on the role of coach. The members collaboratively choreograph routines in all genres of dance, from ballet to contemporary to techno to tap.

Senior directors Nina Pongratz and Carolyn Tang noted that the audition process was especially difficult this year, as all of the dancers auditioning showed great potential. “This year was the hardest year yet,” they said.

The final result from the audition is the biggest group Window has ever had. The 18 dancers include Mary Backman, Kendall Barnett, Elisa Bushee, Steph Connaughton, Ariel Cormier, Val Eisenson, Liz Entrup, Michelle Fromzel , Jenn Kandrac, Sylvia Lorenzini, Katie Roy, Sam Sklar, Jamie Spagnuolo, Mellisa Yu, and the four directors, Nina Pongratz, Lauren Spagnuolo, Carolyn Tang and Kayla Whittemore.

This year’s theme is The Lion King, and because the group is so large, there will be a whopping 16 dances. Senior director Lauren Spagnuolo said, “Something a lot of people don’t know about Window is that we don’t have specific dancers playing specific characters. We tell the story of The Lion King differently than a play or musical would. We name each dance with significant characters and events and all together the dances tell the story. For example, there are dances named after characters like ‘Rafiki,’ but there are also dances named to fill in major plot details like ‘Nala and Simba Reunite.’”

Window continues to bring new changes to the group. Hoping to create a tradition, the group has reserved one dance for girls and guys to incorporate partnering with lifts and stunts. Last year, the dance was received with much enthusiasm, and this year the dance should prove to be just as exciting for both the dancers and the audience. Said Pongratz, “Window is not only for girls.”

Dancing aside, participants say Window is a great opportunity to be in an atmosphere where everyone around you shares a common passion. Sophomore Steph Connaughton said, “You get to meet new people, as well as make new friends. You also get do something that you love, while being surrounded by people who share the same enthusiasm as you!” Within the first week, all 18 dancers were well acquainted with one another, and the choreography came easily after that.