Generations take the stage at SDC’s 35th showcase

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

A lot has changed for the Shaunavon Dance Co. since its inaugural year-end showcase in 1992, but one thing has remained constant – the quality of its performances.

The local dance group celebrated its 35th anniversary Showcase with two more terrific shows, the latest taking place on Saturday, May 16, at the Shaunavon Public School gym. The 90-minute production drew large crowds and featured more than 100 dancers ranging in age from three years old to adults.

The Showcase included two dozen routines spanning a variety of disciplines, including tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre. The performance opened with the award-winning Hairspray number and closed with another high-energy routine, Teen Beach. The recital concluded with all of the dancers returning to the stage for finale performances of If My Friends Could See Me Now and There’s No Business Like Show Business.

This year’s lone graduate, Cairys Johnson, performed a special solo dance during Saturday’s showcase. Cairys also made a brief, heartfelt speech about her experience with the SDC and her planned future endeavors.

Several awards were presented during the evening, including medals for Ballet (Isabel Klassen and Jayne Skjerven), Jazz (Karolina Klassen and Kali Lawlor) and Tap (Blakely Hunter). The Dance Co. also recognized 18 students for perfect attendance this year, while another 48 received awards for excellent attendance.

Others honoured during the closing ceremony included teacher, principal and choreographer Vivienne MacNeil, who has led the Dance Co. throughout its more than three decades of existence. She received a standing ovation during the presentation portion of the evening.

Hannah MacNeil, who served as emcee for the shows, was also recognized for her choreography contributions to several of the competition dances.

Class assistants Clarissa Groenewald, Lily Nelson, T. Freeman and Mia Nelson were also acknowledged and presented with gifts.

J.J. and Ty Hunter handled lighting and sound duties for the production, while Drikus Groenewald served as videographer.

Over the past 35 years, the Dance Co. has consistently produced outstanding shows. The quality remains high, even as the faces have changed over the years.

In some cases, however, even the faces have stayed the same.

One of the unique features of the Dance Co. is the number of former students who continue dancing with the company as adults. Several mothers now have daughters dancing with the group. Last year even featured a mother and daughter performing together in a senior dance number.

“I remember the first time I had a former student register one of her daughters for dance,” recalled MacNeil. “That was quite a few years ago now. It was nice to see, but it also really hit home how long I had been doing this.”

MacNeil said she has now taught dozens of daughters of former dancers.

There are also several mothers who did not dance in Shaunavon – and in many cases never danced at all – who have since joined the local senior and adult programs because of their daughters’ involvement in dance.

“We have quite a few moms of dancers who are dancing this year,” said MacNeil. “I think that’s pretty cool and a special connection that they can enjoy and share together.”

The Dance Co. also enjoyed another successful year on the competition circuit, taking home numerous awards, scholarships and trophies while attending a total of five competitions in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Medicine Hat.