Community Corner

Center Stage to Kick Off Competition Season

The school held a series of workshops this month to prepare for the upcoming season.

Center Stage Dance and Theater School, with locations in East Brunswick, Marlboro and Ocean Township, has officially and literally kicked off the competition season.

Center Stage believes the satisfaction of an excellent performance is all the motivation a dedicated dancer needs to work harder to continue improving.  The school’s solid reputation for quality reflects an attitude toward competition and goal to develop in each student a genuine respect for dance as an art form.

To that end, Center Stage Company Dance students ranging from 7 to 17 years of age participated in the school’s 2nd in-house convention on Feb. 3. 

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The in-house convention, unlike state-wide conventions, provided a more intimate forum whereby students rotated throughout workshops taught by four dance professionals, who have appeared on Broadway and in National Tours. Two of the instructors are Center Stage alumni- Stephanie Klemons and Tera-Lee Pollin joined by Ida Saki and Jennifer Frankel. At the end of the day, students were provided an opportunity to ask questions to the talented cast of instructors. This was a unique opportunity to reinforce the bonds of the Center Stage family.

Center Stage is also gearing up for it’s annual Pep Rally scheduled for Feb. 24.  This is a special performance for family and friends to showcase the Company Dancer participants and their choreography prior the start of the performance season. The showcase is a casual event that delivers a final dress rehearsal whereby costumes and choreography come together onstage to build morale for the students with support of their families.  In addition, a Tricky Tray is featured to fundraise on behalf of the Company Dancer participants.

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The focus of Center Stage’s Company Dancer students is not simply on competition.

“Whether they win or which award they win, is secondary”, according to founder, George Warren. It is the goal of Center Stage to instill in its students a passion for the performing arts rather than merely the desire to win awards.

“With the right focus, the experience gained in competition can be an excellent source of self-confidence.  When Company Dancers feel good about a performance and understand they become better each time they perform onstage, then they are truly growing through the competition experience”, added Mr. Warren.

The on-stage performance, no matter what the outcome, can promote students to strive to be the best they can and motivate students and faculty by exposing them to a high caliber of talent.  Center Stage’s path to success has been proven with alumni in over 20 Broadway shows, national tours, and television appearances.

For more information on regular and company programs, please contact info@centerstagenj.com or contact one of the studio centers. Center Stage- East Brunswick, 110 Tices Lane, Suite 14, 732-238-7890; Center Stage- Marlboro, 1240 Campus Drive West (Morganville), 732-972-1116; Center Stage- Ocean, 1610 Route 35 South (Oakhurst), 732-695-6400.


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