CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — What's a performance without an audience? That's the obstacle a Winchester dance studio needed to overcome during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Dancer's Pointe studio could no longer hold in-person classes, students and families transitioned into having virtual ones.
"We've really seen students come alive in a new way," said Danielle Bridgewater, the director and owner of Dancer's Pointe. "We've seen parents step up in a new way, become the tech crew, the backstage crew, the dressing crew. They've done it all."
However, the big year-end recital was approaching. After some thought, Bridgewater said they realized they could use Zoom for classes and the recital.
"We knew that providing a year-end performance opportunity was very important for our kids," she said. "They worked so hard all year, and we wanted them to have some closure to the season."
So, 167 students set up a stage in their homes and recorded their performances. The videos were put together, and the full recital will be played on the big screen at Judy Drive-In in Mt. Sterling Saturday night.
"We told our kids that dance is a performing art. We're switching from a stage performance to an on-screen show, and they just feel like they're now celebrities and movie stars," said Bridgewater.
Bridgewater says they'll even roll out the red carpet before dancers get to watch themselves.
"We know that it will be different, but just as enjoyable in a unique opportunity that they'll remember for a very long time," she said.
Families will get to see their movie stars up on the screen this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Judy Drive-In.
