THE dusty stage has been mopped, and the curtains are finally ready to be opened at the Swan Hill Town Hall for the first time in two years.
And lights, camera, action will echo from the grand venue on November 2, as more than 100 dance students perform two shows each in front of 600 people.
Richardson Dance Studio’s annual recital will feature dancers as young as three years old, performing a range of dance routines, telling stories in the styles of jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary and acrobatics.
Dance studio co-owner Kaiti Blackmore said it was the first time the students had been on stage in two years and the first time any local group performed at the town hall since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a long time and everyone has a buzz of excitement — the council staff, town hall staff, just everyone trying to see the old girl back into action,” Ms Blackmore said.
“The students have been training the entire year for the recital; in person, on Zoom and outside.
“In the past year, everything has been thrown at us … we had normal classes, then online for a long time and outside at the tennis club.
“They have worked really hard considering the huge range of obstacles to overcome.”
Ms Blackmore couldn’t imagine the recital being performed in front of a live audience a few weeks ago.
“I thought there would be a time when there was only going to be an audience of 120 people, then a time we thought we may have to film and stream it,” she said.
“Now we are really excited we can have 75 per cent capacity of 600 people at each show, which is crazy to think where we were just a few months ago.”
Ms Blackmore praised Swan Hill Council who had gifted the venue “next to nothing”.
“They just want to see it being used, and have gone gone above and beyond to try and see kids back on the stage,” she said.
Ms Blackmore said the students were also keen to put their best foot forward in front of an audience.
“It’s been extremely frustrating and upsetting at times, but it just shows how resilient children and teenagers are in their ability to bounce from studio to outdoor, to Zoom, back to indoor and outdoor again,” she said.
“We lost some students along the way, obviously, as all businesses have lost clientele.
“The 100 students have stuck with us and are super, super excited to get back on stage.
“We can’t wait to see them doing what they love and the community coming together to support the performing arts in town.
“A lot of these kids don’t play football, or netball — and those that do had their seasons cut short — but others don’t do any other sport, because dance is their passion.
“For them to chuck on a glitzy costume next weekend and do their hair and make-up after a tough few years is exciting.”
Ms Blackmore said theatre and dance had been the first to close and last to reopen.
“It’s just been a nightmare two years and even to work out this recital at the current restrictions has been a logistical nightmare,” she said.
“Working out how many kids were allowed in certain parts of the town hall, but we are willing to do anything we can to get the kids on stage.
“We have had supporting families and students who just want to dance.”
Tickets are now available from the Swan Hill Town Hall website.
