Dancers leap across the shining gym floor. The blaring music dies down. Applause fills the air.
The Texas Highsteppers hosted their annual “Show-offs” on Feb. 28 in the Tiger Center gym.
‘“Show-offs’ are essentially one last really big practice for the team to get on the basketball court one more time before we compete,” Highstepper director Amber Reynolds said. “It also gives our parents, students and community members an opportunity to come see the contest dances because a lot of them won’t travel with us to watch them compete.”
Unlike Spring Show, their final performance of the year, a lot less planning goes into “Show-offs.” According to Reynolds’ opening speech, the whole affair is very casual compared to their usual performances.
“‘Show-offs’ are pretty much the same layout every year with an exception for the dances that we perform,” senior captain Kamryn Jean said. “What makes it special is what the dances mean to us and the team’s energy going into our performance.”
Each of the dancers have their own reasons for liking a certain dance. It could be the choreography, the music or even just the people in it that draws someone in.
“My favorite team dance that we performed this year is probably kick because it’s very dynamic and it’s different from the dances that we’ve done in the past,” Jean said. “I also really love the song, and it’s a bit nostalgic because it’s a song from our childhood.”
As special as “Show-offs” are to the friends and family that get to come watch, it means just as much to the dancers. Lasting memories are formed amongst team members.
“My freshman year after show offs, Reynolds took us out near the tennis courts,” junior Laila Toubia said. “We had written all of our worries earlier that day on a piece of paper, and so we got to throw our pieces of paper into the bonfire and watch them burn.”
At the end of the day, the Texas Highsteppers are a family just as much as they are a dance team. “Show-offs” are as much for them as it is for the audience. It’s the motivation they need to keep giving their all.
“My favorite part [about ‘Show-offs’] are honestly watching the team watch each other,” Reynolds said. “They sit on the side and watch officers and solos and duets, and they’re the biggest hype squad for each other, and that makes my heart happy more than any performance or trophy we could ever get.”
