A 35-year-old tradition returns for another season in a brighter and bolder way. In almost four weeks, the much anticipated Blast 35 will kick off. This student-led production always impresses its audiences with its captivating choreography, lively singing and decorative set. It is an experience that many WCHS want to become a part of.
“I joined Blast this year because I had so much fun doing it the previous year,” WCHS junior Alexandra Hall said.
Despite already being on the WCHS Track and Field team, Hall also enjoys having a more artistic side. Unlike the movie “High School Music,” WCHS students do not just have to stick to the stuff they know and can participate in both sports and arts. Blast hosts WCHS students from all backgrounds and extracurricular activities, even featuring a teacher number in some of the past shows.
“I love doing some extracurricular activities that don’t involve sports to expand my interest in other activities,” Hall said. “Many of my friends, even the ones that do track, are doing Blast as well.”
This year’s Blast theme is “Coloration.” “Coloration” stands for a variety of musical genres and dances that spotlight specific colors. Many of the colors express common ideas and experiences in love, friendship and independence.
“Coloration is a great theme because there are many good songs that match the theme,” Hall said. “Although both of the all-cast numbers are pop songs, I am in a country song number that is about a woman who is unapologetically her southern self.”
Blast participants find themselves devoting their lunches and some of their afternoons to rehearsals to memorize their dances. With five numbers to memorize, WCHS senior Bria Hong devotes a lot of her time.
“I don’t have any conflicts with the rehearsals so it wasn’t hard to fit them in with my schedule,” Hong said. “I appreciate how they take advantage of lunchtime to have rehearsals so that I don’t have to come back to school or stay too long after.”
The whole Blast 35 operation started with auditions in November and will end with two weekends of shows during the last weekend of March and the first weekend in April. Opening night will be on March 28 at seven o’clock. Many Blast participants are excited for the whole production to come together to make Blast 35 another spectacular event.
“There is obviously more to memorize when it comes to the dance numbers,” Hall said. “In dance numbers besides the all-cast, you get to dance with a smaller group and it’s fun to dance to different songs and learn other choreographies.”
As the Blast show dates come closer and closer, all Blast participants are working hard to have their dances formalized, the set ready to adorn the stage and the last couple of chords memorized. These two weeks of shows allow for lots of WCHS to come out and support and see its talented students perform.
“The most enjoyable thing about Blast is dancing to fun songs with friends,” Hall said. “It’s very exciting to perform and enjoy the amazing atmosphere on stage!”
