There are some lessons learnt in school that extend far beyond the classroom. Under the direction of Shanna Henry and Sacha Dill, Troika will bring the “challenges, triumphs, and the unforgettable moments that shape us” to the stage next month in School Daze: A Dance Story.

“The FYE: Young Choreographers’ Showcase is all about storytelling through movement, and School Daze provides a relatable and nostalgic backdrop that allows our young choreographers to explore themes like self-discovery, peer dynamics, academic pressures, and youthful ambition,” said Sacha.

The production will feature roughly 50 performers, aged eight to 28, dancing to pieces by ten choreographers whose works explore the given themes. The perspectives of six main characters will be woven throughout the show.

Audiences should expect that School Daze will meet the high benchmark set by past Troika performances, according to Sacha, who first joined as a dancer in 2010 and has co-directed the past two showcases with Shanna.

“We provide mentorship from seasoned dance professionals, access to costuming, lighting, and set design experts, and the opportunity to work in a professional theatre environment at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

“The goal is to ensure that their artistic visions are not just ideas, but fully realised, high-quality productions,” she added.

She believes the Young Choreographers’ programme fills a crucial void in performance development.

“I was super quiet and this programme has moulded me into the individual I am today. It teaches you things that you don't know about yourself. I didn't realise how loud my voice was until I started with Troika; I didn't know I could sing,” Sacha said.

“Coming in and spending the time as a cast member, and now being given these leadership roles for the third year [running], is definitely a refreshing and humbling experience. I can see in the kids what I was going through [at their age and] I can influence them as well.”

For eight-year-olds, the youngest members of the Young Performers’ Showcase, she believes the confidence gained through the programme will stay with them for a lifetime.

“What we try to instil is that it's not just about dancing on stage. We want you to tell a story with your movement; we want you to evoke an emotion; we want you to have stage presence. We try to give them those tools to use, rather than just pressing play and having them dance on stage.”

Rehearsals began in August, after the casting process was complete.

Along with Shanna and Sacha, Skyla Furbert, Honor Minors, Kevonte Jennings-Lathan, Shakori Trott, Antione Williams, India Rayner, Kioshi Burgess and Taye-Zino Trott all choreographed dances for the show.

“This showcase is one of the few opportunities in Bermuda where young choreographers can conceptualise, create, and stage their own original works in a professional setting,” said Shanna.

“It nurtures artistic leadership, creativity, and technical growth, ensuring that Bermuda’s next generation of performers and creators have the platform and experience to develop their craft and contribute to the island’s performing arts scene.”

School Daze will present a “dynamic mix of contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and lyrical dance styles”.

Dancers rehearsed in smaller groups with their choreographers before coming together to prepare for the full production.

For Shanna, the greatest reward has been witnessing the growth of both the dancers and choreographers over the years.

“The process has been intense, collaborative, and deeply rewarding,” she said. “Choreographers have worked closely with dancers to bring their visions to life, experimenting with movement, formations, and storytelling.”

She believes the themes explored in each dance will resonate with audiences of all ages.

“Everyone has experienced school in some way, and School Daze taps into relatable emotions ― joy, pressure, friendships, and self-discovery.

“Young audiences will see their own stories reflected on stage, while adults may look back with nostalgia, making it a multigenerational experience.”

It’s one of the many opportunities Troika has provided young performers since its first production more than a decade ago.

“It's mainly the discipline we enforce first, which helps them understand how to hold themselves as individuals and develop a certain character — one that applies not just to the theatre, but to the everyday world,” Shanna said. “That discipline allows them to step forward with more confidence — both as individuals and knowing how to lead and inspire others, so they won’t stay in the shadows and will be able to create their own path

“Opportunities like this are crucial for the growth of young artists because they provide real-world experience in choreography, stage production, and performance.

“As the programme evolves, we aim to expand mentorship, increase collaborations with international choreographers, and introduce more technical training to continue pushing the boundaries of artistic excellence in Bermuda.”

• School Daze: A Dance Story runs at 7.30pm on April 3 and 4 at Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $40 and are availableattroikabda.com