American Dance Center presents the Dance Generation showcase
June 6, 2012 3:28PM
Called the "show of shows" by American Dance Center audiences, officials said they work hard to make the student showcase an outstanding experience for everyone. | Rick Sanchez Photography photo
Maps
Updated: July 9, 2012 6:05AM
The American Dance Center, of Orland Park and Homewood, proudly celebrates 42 years in the Southland with a major student showcase production.
The Dance Generation is billed as the area’s largest student recital and one of the Southland’s most elaborate enterprises.
The American Dance Center will present five shows with five different casts at 11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. June 9 and 2 and 6 p.m. June 10 at the 1,200-seat Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, off University Parkway east of Governors Highway, University Park.
The participating students come from more than 25 south suburban communities.
Dick Clark (1929-2012) said, “Music is the soundtrack of our life.”
The Dance Generation will pay tribute to music icons of the past as they remember “American Bandstand,” “Elvis — Rock ’n’ Roll,” “The Beatles — ’60s,” “Donna Summer and Robin Gibb — Disco,” “Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston — ’80s MTV.”
Their legacies continue to cross generations into the 1990s and 2000s with ever-changing styles of hip-hop, abstract modern, contemporary, technologic and worldwide ballet styles.
The production features choreography by American Dance Center instructors Taylor Foytik, Jennifer Garcia, Holly Kapsalis, Danielle Latorre, Carlicia Layosa, Christen McKenna, Kara Lozanovski, Jon Sloven, Kathleen Villari, Maria Villari, Tracey Villari and Andrea Wydra.
The showcase will demonstrate the various styles of music and dance that influence the current generation.
“The talent and scope of this show causes one to forget they are actually watching a dance recital,” officials said.
“Highlighted with designer costumes, elaborate sets and special lighting, students as young as 6 years old and award-winning aspiring professionals dance with amazing energy and conviction.
“The show is life-affirming as we realize we are watching our dancers of the future.”
A production of this magnitude requires extreme organization.
“It is evident that the school founders and directors, Jack and Kathleen Villari, know what they’re doing and that their years of performing professionally throughout the world are evident in all aspects of their work,” officials said.
“The combined efforts of executive manager Brian Villari, studio manager, John Shawn Basler and Joseph Gidley and the support of teachers, students, families and volunteers, guarantee an enjoyable two-hour performance.
“It is easy to see why the American Dance Center has consistently earned national and international recognition, and has been voted best dance school in Chicago Southland every year for the past 16 years in area-wide public opinion polls.”
This year, American Dance Center students had the opportunity to dance in the halftime show for the Orange Bowl game in Miami, performed at Six Flags Great America and have been invited to represent Illinois at the prestigious International Dance Festival in Hollywood, Calif., and do their own show at Disneyland in spring.
“It is this combination of quality training and professional mentoring that gives each student the confidence and ability to reach their full potential,” officials said.
American Dance Center alumni are performing and teaching professionally throughout the world.
“This production is highly recommended for anyone who loves dance or is interested in being part of today’s dance generation,” officials said.
“Everyone benefits from professional training and an environment that stresses positive goals and strong family values.”
Registrations is being accepted for American Dance Center summer classes, which start June 18.
The American Dance Center has developed a loyal following of area and out-of-state attendees that return regularly for shows and classes.
More than 5,000 people attended the last show.
Information: americandancecenter.net.
