Advanced Dance Levels Up
Ding! The jazz tunes of elevator music led senior Alyssa Wesley and hundreds in the audience up 32 levels of a skyscraper during the 2025 Advanced Dance show, “Level Up.”
Every year, Advanced Dance students perform choreographs by their own peers, and put them together in a vibrant display in the Performing Arts Center. Advised by Jennifer Bedrosian, 19 students from this year’s program created dances across multiple genres, including jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and even tap.
Each skyscraper level staged a captivating performance by the 37 members of Advanced Dance. This year’s show follows Wesley, portraying a young journalist exploring each floor of a city skyscraper to gain information to land the job as an assistant to a magazine editor, played by senior Divyana Emmons all the way up to the top level.
THE BEGINNING NUMBERS:
Wesley began her morning late, and rushed to get ready—she struggled to put on her shoe, left for the interview with a messy bun and an unprofessional outfit, and arrived at the skyscraper’s elevator disheveled. But not to worry—there’s a department store on the second floor! Even with all the life-like mannequins inside, Wesley changed out of her sweater and plaid skirt into a white button up and tight-fit skirt, preparing for her interview. She just has to get there in time! But she doesn’t even know what floor it’s on . . .
During the seventh number, best friends and seniors Sloane Beasley and Josie Crank celebrate their last time performing as part of Advanced Dance with a duet. The choreography began with Beasley’s slow-paced choice of “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, until interrupted by Crank, and the mood switched when “Like a G6” by Far East Movement began playing.
“Josie and I have very different styles when it comes to dancing, so we thought we could combine both our strong traits and create something fun that everyone would love,” Beasley said.
Beasley, who has been dancing for 12 years, noted that the most memorable part of “Level Up” for her was the dress rehearsal.
MORE ELEVATION, MORE ELEVATED
Grumble . . ..the long ride up the elevator makes Wesley’s stomach louder than the jazz music playing. Emmons heard that there was a sushi restaurant on Floor 15. She offered to order if Wesley picked it up, and the food made Wesley and her stomach very happy.
Afterwards, people with large numbers on their chest began crowding the elevator, Higgins appearing once again with them. Apparently there were auditions for spots as Justin Timberlake’s backup dancers on Level 16.
Choreographed by junior Allie Kemp and sophomore McKinley Huffman, the number was divided into numerous sections, all following the progression of auditions. Certain dancers were selected out of the larger group to audition in smaller groups, until the finalists were picked out to be Timberlake’s backup dancers.
An old-person’s home, extravagant office parties, a circus, what else could be in this building? On floor 21, nothing–a pitch black, abandoned level, which Advanced Dancers decide to explore with only their flashlights’ light.
Performed to “Dracula” by Labrinth, senior Geovani Rendon‘s contemporary choreography was an entrancing and unique performance to watch.
“The process of choreographing is very tedious but works in my brain. After finding the right song that clicks, I replay the music to find the small details, which helps my understanding of the song and my creativity,” Rendon said.
It wasn’t the last of the floors with an interesting story–three floors up, a cheating scandal took place.
Sophomore Brooklyn Betz and Rendon portrayed a couple going through a breakup, and Betz’s close friend Jaklyn Woodland helped her back on her feet. Little did Betz know that her friend turned on her behind her back, ran to Rendon, and the two rushed off together.
THE FINAL FLOOR
Finally, Wesley reached the very top floor–Level 32– but she realized Emmons never got off the elevator.
While she thought, at first, that Emmons was also there for the same interview and used her to get information, there’s a twist: Emmons was actually the editor she was there to meet, and followed her up the skyscraper to observe her. Impressed by Wesley, Emmons let her know that she indeed, got the job!
The show closed out with a slideshow and a number as a tribute to the seniors of the program, which marked the end of the skyscraper Odyssey of impressive showcase performances and many of their dance careers.
Read More About The Technical Side of the 2025 ADVANCED DANCE SHOW Here:
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