The foxtrot, the cha-cha, and the swing – oh my! These were only a selection of the dance styles performed in the first “Dancing with the Ada Stars” as part of Ohio Northern University’s 2014 Homecoming Weekend. Alumni, students, and many more gathered in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts to watch Ada residents and students participate in a friendly competition mirroring the popular television show Dancing with the Stars.
This unique show opened with a salsa number performed by local community members, selected by the ONU Dance Company, alongside the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, a professional dance company that gives more than 100 performances each year.
“This show was so much fun and it was amazing getting to dance with fellow musical theatre majors. It was just a great experience,” says Haley Holtje, a freshmen musical theatre major.
The first act of the show was dedicated to the competition between Ada community stars.
After the show’s intermission, the Utah Ballroom Dance Company performed several dance numbers selected from its “Hollywood” series.
The first “Dancing with the Ada Stars” champion was revealed at the end of the exciting night. After a fierce battle of twists, turn and flips, contestants Matt Jennings, CEO of Quest Federal Credit Union, and Sarah (Smith) Waters, professor in the Department of Music at ONU, were announced as the top two dancers of the night. Finishing four votes behind was Matt Jennings, who took home the first “Dancing with the Ada Stars” Disco Ball Trophy.
All of the contestants put their best dancing shoes forward and the audience was able to participate in the event by voting for their favorite dancing pair. With the scores from the judges Cathy Smalley, Justin Courtney, and Jenny Walton, and the audience’s votes, the winning team took home a well-earned win.
Ohio Northern University has never produced a show similar to “Dancing with the Ada Stars” in the history of the Freed Center’s theatre productions. Members of the audience were impressed with the dancing talent and hard work put into the performance by the local competitors, the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, and the ONU Dance Company.
At Ohio Northern, homecoming is about creating a sense of family. The performer’s helped create that aura, while putting on a fantastic show.
“Homecoming is about bringing friends and family together. This show incorporated not only people that go to the university, but people who live in and outside of Ada as well,” says Holtje about the “Dancing with the Stars” performance.