The National Dance Week© and Dance Spirit®
Annual Essay Contest

The National Dance Week© 2008 and Dance Spirit®

Million Dollar Essay Contest

First place:
Danceland
By Amy Hobson, 17
Falcon, CO
       Many dancers feel so accomplished the first time they land a triple turn or execute a switch leap. Those tiny leaps and bounds (no pun intended) are what keep us dancing with a smile on our faces. Now imagine you have paralysis and are wheelchair bound for the rest of your life. If I were to create a theme park ride pertaining to dance I would make a virtual reality room of sorts: a place where everyone could sit in a chair or wheelchair. The walls would show a projection of an audience as if you were onstage looking out; it would also show a projection of a dancer showing what dance the ride is simulating. Music styles would change throughout the ride to portray various styles of dance. But it doesn’t stop there; the floor would move to give the feeling of leaping, and each individual chair and wheelchair would turn to symbolize a pirouette and give everyone the sensation of turning. The seats would also move to imitate chasse?s and tilt slightly to imitate a leg hold. As far as appearance goes, the outside would be decorated with scenes from dance movies, Broadway, the Radio City Rockettes, anything dance inspired. The wheel chair ramp would have ballet bars as hand rails and above them, costumes from different genres of dance would hang on the walls. Aside from being completely interactive, my goal is to bring the magic of dance to those with debilitating diseases that wouldn’t normally be able to physically experience the art that has impacted so many.

SECOND PLACE:
Dancing to the Top
By Caron Sinnenberg, 17
Richmond, VA
The music is blaring and the beats become swifter. Imagine being trapped within a colossal iPod, and the only way to escape is to dance to the style and the rhythm of each song. If I were to create a theme park solely for the purpose of dance, this would be my ride. I would begin with the construction of an iPod, but instead of a charging hole, there would be a small, rectangular door that leads to an elevator-like room. The goal of the ride would be to make it to the fourth playlist of the white, modern day boom box. Here is the challenge: The only way to get the elevator to transition to the top would be to dance like you have never danced before! You must find the exact style, feeling and technique required to lift the floor to the next level. Clearly the dancers would get very tired; therefore, each floor would contain a water station where you can gain energy for the next challenge. In each level, the music gets faster and more challenging. The music will begin with a lyrical-style song that requires beautifully flowing movements. The second floor will be steady rap, in which the dancers will be expected to demonstrate their greatest hip-hop abilities. When the second level is conquered, the dancer will experience a rapid, yet enjoyable jazzy tune. Lastly, the fourth level will be a combination of the hardest pom and jazz songs imaginable. As the ride progresses, the adrenaline pumps and the inspiration to win grows into excitement and anxiety. When completed, the dancers will receive their next visit to the theme park free! The challenge is difficult, but it keeps the dancers “on their toes” and excited to defeat the exhilarating ride: Dancing to the Top.

Honorable Mention
Applause
By Samantha Remington, 17
New Freedom, PA
Excitement. Energy. Talent. All of these qualities are essential not only to an outstanding dancer but also to an unforgettable theme park ride experience. Welcome to “Applause,” an unprecedented and long-overdue ride that combines excellent performers, rider participation, breathtaking stunts and all the thrills and excitement of an indoor dark ride. The attraction begins as guests are seated in a theatre modeled after a typical 1940s flicker theater. As expected, the ride begins with a short, intriguing film on the history of dance in American cinema. The ride quickly becomes even more exciting as the guests’ seats assemble into a train, which enters behind the screen and “into the movies,” on an action-packed journey through the most memorable dance movies of all time. Each movie scene features animatronics figures, live performers, stunt professionals, and special effects to replicate the spirit and charisma of the original movies. From [ital: Singin’ in the Rain] to [ital: Grease] to [ital: Center Stage,] each selection includes captivating dancing and some of the best music of all time. Finally, the ride will deposit guests into a recording studio where they will have the opportunity to learn and perform a short selection of choreography from one of the classic dance films. The performance will be recorded and available for purchase by the participants. The eye-catching scenery and costumes, matchless choreography and tunes true to the original movies will captivate a whole new generation of hearts and inspire a new band of performing artists. From salsa to ballroom to jazz to ballet, this ride has it all. The memory of performing in a “real” movie will stay with guests for a lifetime. Beyond any doubt, “Applause” will be an electrifying, innovative ride that will make everyone who experiences it want to get up and dance!

Honorable Mention
Dream On
By William A. Geglio
Grand Valley State University
Salsa, hip hop, ballroom, tap, ballet: have your pick, because you are about to experience the most incredible simulation of your life. Would you care to dance with Antonio Banderas or Shakira? The choice is yours, when you are using the “Dance your Dreams” simulator. This simulation uses real smells, sounds and even realistic sights. Some say they were sure they had danced with the real person of their dreams. There is no other place in the world that one will find herself or himself dancing in such an incredible setting. The lights, the music, the dance floor and the people everywhere allow you to feel as if you are really there. This may sound like a mystical fantasy that you can only find in a dream. The only difference is that you are awake, and there is no doubt that you can really feel your body move. Make no mistake, because now you are “Dancing your Dreams.” The big question is how exactly does this magical simulation work? How is the simulator so real? What makes a person believe he is really there? The answer is simple. The “Dance your Dreams” simulator is actually a ballroom. The lights are really on. The smells are real perfumes and colognes. For the most part, the visual perceptions are entirely real. The dancers are a skilled team of actors, modeled to look like the people you want to dance with, smell like the people you want to dance with and are trained to talk like the people you want to dance with. For the most part, the dance is real, but there is a twist. The perceptions are more then real. This is made possible by prescreening before entering your fantasy. During the prescreening, participants are asked questions about their health before signing a waiver. In addition, the participants are asked to watch a video that implants subliminal ideas in their heads. While the video plays, the perception magic is already beginning. The actors in the movie are the people that the participant wants to dance with. Scents are released into the room and soothing music plays. These are all a part of the hypnotic process. Through many different influential techniques, the participants are conned into truly believing what they are about to walk into is real. Thus, when they enter, they perceive everything they see as reality; because of the hypnotic cues that they were given within the movie. Is this possible? Can it really work? The answer is yes. Everyone has imagination, and with a little help that imagination can become a reality. Dancing with the stars and living your dreams is possible. Let your imagination take hold and your fantasies become reality, because you really can “Dance your Dreams.”

THIRD PLACE:
The Ultimate Dance Experience
By Elizabeth York, 17
Bellevue, Washington
Not everyone has experienced the extraordinary essence of a stage performance—the intricate lighting, the dramatic music and the roar of applause from an adoring audience. This distinctive feeling is certainly one-of-a-kind. As a dedicated dancer, I have felt the enlightening effects of performing, from the continuous beats of music that enable my body to sing a song through movement, to the indescribable energy from a crowd that gives me the strength to dance with perfection. I want to share this feeling with the world; and now I can. I would build a theme park ride that would capture the atmosphere of a live stage performance. I would create a virtual theater, complete with a full set of speakers, lights and people to form an audience. The stage would be real, but the audience would be a massive screen that would display an audience that looked real. My ride would allow a group of people to select their own song to perform to. There would be an endless array of music to choose from, anything would be possible. They would be allowed to select the number, colors and special effects that lights would bring upon the stage. Props and costumes would be provided for the riders. When all the choices are made, an announcer would say the group’s name—chosen by the riders, of course—and they would then enter from the wings and dance their hearts out. At the end, the dancers would be presented with beautiful bouquets of roses and generous applause from the audience. During the performance, a camera would take a picture and afterwards, the riders would be given a poster-size picture to take with them to remember their unique experience!

Honorable Mention
Dancing Through Life
By Caitlin Wall, 18
Kansas City, MO
The ride “Dancing through Life” is a roller coaster that is unmatchable to any roller coaster ever made by mankind. The ride is an indoor roller coaster that is open to all ages. The ride begins with the passengers traveling through a red curtain to the Land of Tap. The background music will have Savion Glover’s unparalleled tapping beating as the background to a classical song. Along the ride the passengers will be able to see figures of the Rockettes dancing by both sides of the cart. This part of the ride will bounce up and down as the girls kick their legs up and down. Next, the passengers will travel into the World of Ballet, with the peaceful sounds of [ital: Swan Lake] playing in the background. This part of the ride turns into a graceful crystal clear water ride. The passengers will glide along the roller coaster smoothly. The ride will take them straight down a waterfall at the end. Crashing through the waterfall, the passengers will fall straight into the Land of Hip Hop. The roller coaster cart will do the worm with the passengers inside of it. The walls will be covered with all sorts of paint. Lights will be going on and off while fast beats play in the background. The cart will go through three upside loops and come to a finish. At the end of the ride the cart will take the passengers to a curtain call where they will receive a standing ovation from a virtual reality crowd. This ride combines a roller coaster, water ride and virtual reality to create the world’s greatest dance ride.

Honorable Mention
Dance Theme Park
By Devashree Dave, 16
Naperville,IL
Dance is a form of expression. My theme park will allow people to express themselves with the art of eye, hand and foot movements. This ride will be divided into different fragments, and a person’s selection for a certain fragment will depend on his or her interest and needs. For the ones trying to achieve spiritual balance, there will be yoga and meditation offered with soft music and a pleasant surrounding, like on a seashore. For couples trying to reconnect and strengthen their relationships, the Latin spirit dance room with take care of that bringing the couple close through salsa, tango, cha cha cha, swing and the fox trot. For teenagers who just feel like dancing their hearts out with their friends, hip hop and pop music along with disco lights and a club atmosphere will be offered. For little kids, party music in a garden full of balloons, puppets and firecrackers will be offered. This way, if any child comes in sad, he or she leaves laughing. For foreign citizens wanting to visit their nation while staying at the theme park, there will be a Cultural Plaza, where dances from all over the world shall be performed and celebrated. For people of authority, social dancing will be offered, where dressing up will be required. This will be the park with the one unique ride made for all, where they can dance, listen to music, express themselves and have a lot of fun. This will be the place to be during National Dance Week.

Honorable Mention
Dance Theme Park
Erica Shreeves,
Mineral Wells, WV
A butler escorts you to double doors. After wrapping you in a velvet robe, the doors are opened by attendants. You walk down stairs while a handsome dance partner awaits at the bottom, hand outstretched. Your partner takes you in his arms and you dance around the dance floor to a lively waltz, while the other dancers form a large circle around the dance floor. At the end of the song, you are assisted to elevator doors. In the elevator, the robe is removed and a straw hat is placed on your head and a bandana is placed on your neck. You are led into a barn-like room, filled with hay bales and square dancers. A square-dance caller begins calling instructions and you join in a lively square dance session. There is a live band, including a jug and washboard. At the end of the square dance, attendants who are carrying a chariot greet you. They remove the straw hat and bandana as you sit onto the chariot. They carry you into the next room, where you find yourself in the middle of a room filled with incense, fog, Middle Eastern music and a myriad of belly dancers. You are lowered to the ground and someone wraps a flowing skirt around your waist. You are lead to the center of the group to participate in belly dancing. The “ride” continues to lead you to rooms with different dance themes and music, including tap dancing with Sinatra look-a-likes, doing the twist to Chubby Checker tunes and jungle dancing to drums and sticks. The last room opens after you push a button to choose your favorite music style. The music begins to play and you find yourself on an open stage, where other park-goers are walking by and watching. You have the opportunity to dance onstage with an audience!

View the 2006 Winners Here!
View the 2005 Winners Here!