After weeks of anticipation, the Gablettes completed their 50th annual Fall Frolics. Over the past few weeks the members of the dance team sold their pre-sale tickets, creating a huge sense of excitement throughout the school. After hours of rehearsal, the Gablettes, cheerleaders and elective classes felt more than ready to perform on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
All throughout the summer the Gablettes had been preparing their dances to make sure their 50th Fall Frolics would be more than perfect. Their preparation included hours of rehearsal after school, during lunch blocks, and even on weekends. The cheerleaders also accompanied the Gablettes to their rehearsals every so often so they could practice their conjoined routine. As for the elective classes, they prepared every period to make sure their dance was perfect, even if they had no dance experience they all shined on stage.
“We started rehearsing out Fall Frolics dances in August and as time went on we kept on learning more and more dances. We would set aside a lot of time to rehearse like Saturday practices. We would clean and once we got closer to the date it made it easier for us to run through the dances. Honestly we put so much work into it I wish the audience knew how much effort it was,” sophomore Alejandra Perez said.
Before the show started, parents, classmates and teachers lined up outside the auditorium. Alumni also took up a majority of the crowd due to the 75th anniversary, which made this night just as special. The show opened with a jazz dance by the Gablettes, interpreting the roaring twenties, a performance ended leaving a great start to the show. After this, the mini-Gablettes took the stage to impress the audience with their adorable dance moves to Disney songs from movies like Zombies and Descendants.
The night continued with emotional and excited dances from each grade level of the Gablettes. The juniors quickly left the audience stunned after their contemporary dance to “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac. However, the mood was quickly changed when the underclassmen performed an upbeat kick dance which lifted the mood of the audience up. The first act ended with an collaborative dance by the cheerleaders and Gablettes which included a rendition of the nationally known Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders “Thunderstruck” dance.
After the first act finished the lights turned back on and the audience began to talk about the performances they just witnessed. They also had to option to get snacks and greet their friends for about ten minutes, until the spotlight came back on and the Gablettes were once again on stage performing. The second act began with a very upbeat dance by the Gablettes to a mix of Justin Timberlake songs, which then led to a funky dance by guest performers the Leonettes from Ponce de Leon Middle School.
Sprinkled throughout the show were dances from Ms. Diaz’s elective classes. Though not the Gablettes, these dancers worked hard in their specified dance period to perfect and clean their performance. Choreographed by an assigned Gablette, dances like “PUSH 2 START”, which was performed by period 5, was originally done by the dance team in previous activities, which gave elective dancers a chance to perform like the Gablettes.
“What I loved most about performing was the environment. I made so many memories with amazing people and it was so much fun because we didn’t stress and we just supported each other. That was one of the main reasons I decided to perform, since I had the option to choose,” sophomore Isabella Dominguez said.
Before the final performance, the infamous sweethearts dance made its way to the stage. The performance filled the audience with laughter and positivity as they watched the Gablettes and their uncoordinated partners dance to songs like “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes. The crowds laughter quickly turned to sniffles as the seniors obtained their senior jackets, marking the start of their final year as Gablettes.
“The Gablettes and the cheerleaders have so much talent, but my favorite dance from the whole night was the Thunderstruck dance because I loved how they put their own twist into the choreography. Every time I watch the Gablettes and cheerleaders perform they always impress me even more,” sophomore Siena Vandegraaf said
As the Gablettes finished their final dance of their night to “Supercut” by Lorde, dancers lined up backstage to complete the show with a curtain call. Each group of dancers cheerily skipped onto stage and took their bows to party music. After the curtains closed, audience members did a standing ovation and made their way to congratulate their friends and family on their wonderful performance outside the auditorium.
