By Natalie Gilbert

Staff Writer

Bright and early on March 22, the Coppell High School Lariettes drill team lugged their bags filled with jazz shoes, costumes and performance make-up to American Airlines Airport as they embarked on their trip to Orlando, Fla.

With preparation and fundraising since October, the dancers were more than ready for their four-day trip to the happiest place on Earth.

Before lunch time, the 41 dancers, five chaperones, 12 parents and coaches Julie Stralow and Hayley Hoffman trampled into Animal Kingdom for safari adventures, roller coasters and dinner in Downtown Disney.

Although Walt Disney World is known as a place for vacation, it is also known as a place of production and showcase. Thousands of performance employees put on shows with characters throughout Disney daily, and the Lariettes had the opportunity to participate in a mock audition on Saturday.

Making their way behind the scenes of Disney in Epcot, a choreographer in the Disney production business taught the Lariettes a new dance to audition with. As the process continued, a casting director was brought in to evaluate each dancer’s audition as well as assess versatile abilities taken into consideration when casting for Disney performances.

“We went through the exact process a Disney employee would go through, which gave us a real perspective on what future careers in dance could hold,” sophomore Landry Walker said. “We also got advice on dancing resumes and audition presence in order to give our best impression when trying to get a job like the ones in Disney.”

After the mock audition was over, the dancers presented their newly learned dances in a simulated production and were joined by Disney character Goofy.

“The whole process was a great opportunity and incredibly realistic,” Walker said. “Even when Goofy came out to dance with us we got a sense of how Disney performers feel since they are either in the costume or dancing next to one during their performances.”

Lariettes learned multiple techniques to perform at Disney World throughout their lessons, and the next day they got to show off their skills.

Early Sunday morning, the girls put away their Mickey Mouse ears and broke out their performance attire for a recital in the entrance of Universal Studios. The recital entailed special senior and officer dances in addition to modified versions of dances performed at previous pep rallies and competitions throughout the year.

“I was surprised at how many people gathered to watch the girls,” mother Tamra Walker said. “People would naturally come watch because immediately after walking in the park you heard fun music and saw the girls dancing. It was really fun as parents to see our girls draw a crowd.”

With many hours of dancing complete, the group took Disney by storm. They attended Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, Epcot, Harry Potter World, Dr. Seuss World and more all while it was pouring rain.

“[The rain] stopped us from riding the larger roller coasters, but we did not let it ruin our time,” sophomore Madison Badura said. “We threw on our ponchos and had fun with it.”

Ponchos and all, the Lariettes met their favorite Disney characters and saw artifacts from some of their Disney classics. However, the dancers were not the only ones having early childhood flashbacks.

“The moms and I were more like children in paradise than some of the girls,” Mrs. Walker said. “Disney even had artifacts from my childhood, so it was nostalgic and appealed to all ages.”

A trip to Disney World is not a regular occurrence through a school program, so the trip would not have been possible without the planning and booking by Stralow and Hoffman.

“It would not have been possible without their perfect planning,” Mrs. Walker said. “Every detail went perfectly with the girls’ dance classes, performances, trips to parks, meals and hotels.”

Lariettes themselves had to do more than practice their dances in order to attend. Girls who desired to go on the trip were required to be passing all classes, and according to Lariette treasurer Benita Weaver, had a fee of $1,200.

From fan dances to fireworks at Cinderella’s Castle, the Lariettes had a wonderful dance opportunity combined with adventure to finish out the season on a good note.