Bright lights and excited chatter fill the auditorium as dancers prepare backstage for their Escapade dance performances. The annual spring dance show occurred at the Raymond E. Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12. This year’s theme was “Eternal” to honor the legacy of Ms. Marla Valk, former SunDancer Director, dance teacher, and Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) Dance Coordinator.
Warrior Pride members prepared for this show for months in advance, putting hard work in all year in order to prepare for the stage. The time spent as an ensemble preparing for the show brought the team closer together before they took the stage.
“Backstage me and one of my friends like to do silly dances to the music of the performance before us,” Smith said. “We’ll be very silly trying to shake nerves off.”
The thrill of being on stage is no new feeling for many members, who look forward to Escapade all year. The energy is high, and adrenaline carries Pride members throughout their performances.
“I love the feeling of performing,” Allison said. “There’s a certain rush you get, I love [that] feeling.”
Pride performed multiple pieces, including their lyrical routine. To elevate their dance moves and allow each member to shine onstage, lots of time is put into curating costumes, hair, and makeup.
“My favorite costume [is] the lyrical costume,” Smith said. “It’s very flowy, [and] very pretty.”
As Escapade marks the end of the years’ performances, Senior Pride members savor their final moments of being on the team. The team’s tradition of circling up before shows helps bring the members together.
“This is our last year [with] our seniors,” Pride member Joan Amalraj ‘27 said. “There [was] a lot of tears, especially on the second day. It was a very special moment with the team.”
As the team’s work over the year comes to fruition, seniors are able to treasure their final performance with the team and take pride in the work they’ve put in over the years.
“As a whole, Warrior Pride did amazing,” Vaishu Dhurjati ’25 said. “We did the best we could, all the seniors did amazing. I think we all performed very well.”
