“Point your finger!” | Rhythm X
The Creation
A group of individuals have been communing in Franklin, Indiana every weekend since December of 2024 to perfect an 8-minute masterpiece. These performers aren’t just talented but are the best in the world at what they do. When young adults commit to driving sixteen hours over the weekend to rehearse, you know they’re engaging in something special.
These weekends feature rehearsals and performances of Rhythm X’s 2025 program entitled Hands of the Creation. This show is an installation of percussive music and visual interactions. However, the title lends itself to some irony as the marching battery members rely on their lower half to move quickly and precisely from drill spot to drill spot across the 100-foot tarp.
Limited by 10-15 lb. snare drums, 30-40 lb. tenor drums, 15-40 lb. bass drums, and cymbals in hand, Rhythm X relies on the drum-less Visual Ensemble to “create with their hands” and visually enhance the show.
All Around the ‘World of Dance’
The Visual Ensemble features ten movers with varied experiences. But they all have one thing in common: world-class performance quality. Such a diverse representation of talent serves the show well as this crew accomplishes a movement-style unlike any other. Within one minute of the show, you’ll catch Visual Ensemble members chassé-ing, jazz walking, crab stepping, and simultaneously performing fabric choreography. A particular chunk features 280-bpm marching and sharp jazz-style movements before ending with a chassé-sauté passé transitional phrase. As world-class performers, the Visual Ensemble members are constantly expanding their skill sets and confidently performing challenging material.
Behind the Curtain
Arguably, the most important choreographic responsibilities of the Visual Ensemble occur behind the prop’s triangular frames. After the first movement of Hands of the Creation, the dancers disappear behind the prop. Their Apolla socks improve blood flow and aid in much-needed recovery after the intense show opener.
But although their feet catch a break, their hands create shapes and patterns of white, purple, and yellow in front of the black curtains. Even though only the tips of the middle fingers to the forearms are visible, the hands still spark creativity and innovation in the beholder.
Choreography with such small parts of the body make it vital to display consistent hand shapes and seemingly minute movements. Every dancer has heard the phrase, “Point your toe!” at least once in their journey. So perhaps the most symbolic representation of the 2025 Rhythm X Visual Ensemble’s unique responsibilities is the now-commonly heard phrase, “Point your finger!”
Written By: Arianna Ware
