Ohlone College’s Winter Showcase Cabaret graces the stage of the NUMMI inside the Ohlone College Smith Center. It’s a chance to showcase all the hard work Theatre and Dance students put into their singing and dancing routines during the Fall Semester. The event took place on Dec. 6 and 7.
The stage was adorned with red roses on top of a wooden platform. Behind was a gorgeous red opera house-style curtain. Performers on stage became background actors, sitting on chairs and tables as if in a fancy restaurant with flameless candles as the centerpiece. Next to one of the tables was a bar with bar stools. On the other side of the stage was a DJ set, drum set, and an electronic piano with a mic.
The night started off with Ohlone student and Winter Showcase host Zion Wheaton rapping to an original piece over the instrumental “I Like the Way You Move” by OutKast. He also invited other performers to dance freestyle.
In a comedic fashion, Ohlone Dance Director Lia Altan interrupted his rap performance to say the show can’t start without a curtain speech.
The night was filled with dance performances and live singing. The Hip Hop dance class taught by Keith Pinto performed a choreographed dance to “Fly As Me” by Silk Sonic and “KOD” by JCole.
The college’s K-Pop club performed their own routine to a song called “Shake It” by girl group Sistar. A stunning contemporary-like dance to “Burn” from the Broadway musical “Hamilton” graced the stage, performed by David Jeffries.
Theatre student Ethan Le sang “Here’s to the Ladies that Lunch” by Elaine Stritch from the musical “Company.”
Several other talented students from the theatre department also sang live to Broadway musical numbers, including “Michael’s In the Bathroom” sung by Jack Dellandre, “When He Sees Me” sung by Eddie Sherman and “Mr. Cellophane” sung by Alex Walleman.
At the end of the performances, Alton talked about the Spring Showcase. It will be performed at the bigger venue, the Jackson Theatre at the Smith Center.
Alton said through email dancers and choreographers who want to be a part of the Spring Showcase have to register for a class in order to participate in rehearsals. The show will be on April 25-26, 2025. Dance experience is not required.
Some Theatre students from Ohlone College will be attending the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, a worldwide performing arts festival. The Theatre department is accepting donations to send students to the festival through the Ohlone College Foundation Paypal. Donors must specify the donation is for “Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”
Multiple dance classes are offered at Ohlone for the upcoming Spring Semester 2025. Those classes are Intro to Ballet, Intro to Contemporary Dance, Intro to Hip Hop, and Intro to Classical Indian Dance.
