As the school year starts and fall sports begin, the Oak Park Dance Team comes alive. OPDT have a busy season ahead as they prepare for rallies, homecoming week and the first football game.
“If we’re not learning choreography, then we’re cleaning up the dance to make sure it looks the best it can be,” sophomore Katie Comparato said. “Cleaning the choreography involves ensuring that movements are sharp and the dance is tight.”
To prepare for a big performance, the girls go over counts and perfect each specific part of the dance.
“Before a game or a rally, I try to keep everything together,” junior Elle Markham said. “I try to keep myself composed and stay in my own bubble because I get really nervous.”
Coach Destiny Ridge is already setting big goals for the new season and anticipates this year looking a little different from years in the past.
“Our goals as a team this year are to become more dynamic in our training and performances,” Ridge said. “We want to incorporate more styles of dance including jazz, contemporary, acro and of course hip hop still.”
The team is stepping up by taking on new performances this year.
“We will be doing a program performance with both JV and Varsity at the Homecoming game,” Ridge said. “The Varsity team is also making history by competing at both a regional and national competition.”
To prepare for these new endeavors the team has been practicing three to four times a week, learning and mastering new dances each time.
“Practice typically includes a captain-led warm-up and sometimes we’ll do a little bit of technique or improv,” Markham said.
The 20-person varsity team is super close-knit and supportive of each other.
“You could ask any person on the team and they will clarify something for you, whether they’re a captain or hold a different position,” Markham said. “Everyone’s trying to make the team better as a whole.”
With multiple new freshmen joining the varsity team this year, new connections are always forming.
“My favorite part about the dance team is the community and getting to know everyone here,” Comparato said.
For others, performing for the dance team is a full-circle moment.
“I remember coming to sports games when I was in middle school– my favorite part was always watching the dance team,” Markham said.
OPDT can be spotted front and center during halftime at Oak Park’s first football game on Aug. 23.
