Hundreds of dancers will take to the stage for an annual showcase put on by In Motion School of Dance.

Students from the age of 18 months and up will take part alongside alumni in four “magical” performances.

Director Lizz Pimentel said: “The show will highlight some of Bermuda’s most talented dancers representing our Intensive and Recreational stream at the school. Performance is vital to a dancer’s progression and dance training and allows them to work on confidence, stage presence, performance quality and challenges them both mentally and physically.”

She added: “Our students are truly stars. The excitement once we get into theatre is contagious and of course there is a lot of hard work and high expectations on them, but they know the drill and step up to the plate year after year.

“The theatre is magical and you can feel how happy they are to finally be where they can showcase their hard work and talent throughout the year on stage.”

Ms Pimentel explained that the school’s 21st annual dance showcase will have a theme of “unicorns, glitter and all things fantasy”.

She added that the theme was chosen to “support the idea of an escape from reality and being able to find that imagination and creativity in every day and especially in theatre”.

Ms Pimentel said: “Theatre was always a magical place for me and I can see that same awe and excitement in the little dancers’ eyes as they come in to the theatre.”

She explained that the showcase was designed to be technically challenging as well as moving for the audience.

Students will also get the chance to learn about the behind-the-scenes side, like stage lighting and sets.

Ms Pimentel said: “Our aim is to expose our dancers to as much as we can and give them the best opportunities both locally and overseas.”

She added: “What is really amazing is that year after year our alumni who are studying the arts overseas come back during showcase time and are featured in our show someway or another.”

Ms Pimentel said it is also crucial for younger dancers to be around role models they can look up to. But she added that the showcase also brings people together, from dancers to parents, volunteers and the technical crew. She said: “Each and every person involved is committed to doing and providing their best to allow the dancers to truly shine up on stage.”

There will be eight performances at the Earl Cameron Theatre at City Hall in Hamilton from today to Sunday, and from next Thursday to Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased at inmotionbda.com or ptix.bm