CCHS’ Academy of Visual and Performing Arts pushes envelope

When Culver City High School’s Danger Zone Dance Company considers “pushing the envelope,” you can’t be certain of what they’ll come up with. Known for their creative dance theater work, the dance students and faculty of CCHS’ Academy of Visual and Performing Arts are back to their old tricks; inventing new, lively, and imaginative dance for the Frost stage.

Now a tradition, the Danger Zone Dance “Pushing the Envelope” concert will feature dances seamlessly woven together with unique theatrical transitions, creating a singular evening of dance theater. “Pushing the Envelope” will be performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 16, 17, and 18, at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. in the Robert Frost Auditorium located at 4401 Elenda in Culver City, on the campus of Culver City High School.

“The students’ choreography is really the highlight of the evening,” explains Julie Carson, Artistic Director of Dance for the AVPA. “We have several seniors who have been working for two, three, and four years on their dance making. Their work is unique and very exciting.”

In addition to the students, this year’s concert will also feature the work of two of the dance department’s bright and shining faculty members, Becca Cousineau and Sadie Yarrington. Becca’s work with both beginning and advanced students has become one of the highpoints of the AVPA dance concert.  Sadie Yarrington (third year dance faculty) brings new ideas, including partnering technique, which has been eagerly devoured by her students.

“Pushing The Envelope” will include two of the outstanding dances that were presented in the AVPA’s “Big Show,” an evening of art presented last December, throughout the entire Frost complex. These impressive dances will be performed in the audience-section of the Frost, as well as the lighting booth. An evening jam-packed full of original dances, which are thrilling, thought provoking, humorous, and poignant.  Don’t miss this event, which is full of energy and excitement, movement and stillness that naturally pushes the envelope.

The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) at Culver City High School offers a comprehensive arts curriculum after regular school hours for students who are committed to excellence in Art, Film, Theatre, Dance, and Music. Established in 1996, AVPA enjoys tremendous community support from Sony Pictures Entertainment and other design, recording, and theatre companies in the area.

Admission is $12 general and $8 ASB, faculty, seniors, and children under 12. Tickets are available at the door before the concert. For more information about the Academy, go to www.avpa.org or contact Tony Spano at 310-842-4200 x6094 or Kristine Hatanaka at 310-842-4200 x6001.