Photo Essay: The Art of Performing
Photos and Story by Andy Glogower
For the past 20 years, I have had the joy of photographing live performances here in Lakeland—something I don’t think I’ll ever tire of.
I became interested in photography while watching my three young daughters participate in dance and gymnastics. My oldest daughter, Meghan, enrolled in the dance department at Harrison School for the Arts and transitioned into the musical theatre program her senior year. Her dance teacher Susan Olson and Principal Craig Collins requested that I start photographing the performances for the school.
Meghan has long since graduated, and since my first shoot at Harrison, I’ve seen the dance and theater department perform outstanding productions on par with some major theater productions on bigger stages in Tampa and Orlando. Lakeland has a gem in its hand with Harrison’s staff and students.
I was blown away recently by the level of excellence achieved by 170 students coming together to pull off the all-school musical production of Shrek. Laura Jordan directed the production, Nick Folkes along with the students created the incredible dragon, set, props, lighting, and costumes. These elements made for some dramatic photographic opportunities portraying the astonishing talent and effort that become the standard at Harrison.
Choosing a favorite show or production is impossible, as each has its stand-out moments and visually stunning elements…and thankfully I don’t have to.
I am thrilled to share a handful of photographs that capture the magic regularly created by HSA students and faculty. Enjoy the show!
“Cinderella,” directed by Suzi Lambert
"Thoroughly Modern Milly,” directed by Joe Sniegocki
"Mary Poppins," directed by Danelle Cauley
"Once Upon a Mattress," directed by Joe Sniegocki
“Shrek,” Directed by Laura Jordan. A young Shrek that evolved into an older version of the DreamWorks icon during the production.
This magnificent dragon, which extended up to 20 feet long and 12 feet tall with a nearly 16 foot wingspan, was a massive undertaking led by Nick Folkes. Students learned how to shape PVC for the skeleton, sew the skin, mold foam and more. They incorporated electronics in the eyes and mouth that helped bring the dragon to life, and Folkes built a mouth mechanism using bike brakes, as well as a miniature smoke machine inside the head that could blow smoke with a synchronized set of LED lights to simulate fire. The fully assembled dragon weighed roughly 200 pounds, and it was a team of young women from the Harrison dance and theatre departments who were puppeteers of the larger than life character.
2024 Spring Dance Concert, "Gamzatti, Act II," choreographed by Marius Petipa, staged by Susan Olson. Dancer: Emma Wuitschick
2024 Spring Dance Concert, “Pulse,” choreographed by Shelley Bourgeois
“The Nutcracker” featuring Prima Ballerina Puloma Herrera, choreographed by Susan Olson. The fourth dancer from the bottom right is Meghan Glogower.
2023 Winter Dance, “In a Quiet Space,” choreographed by Shelley Bourgeois. Dancers: Justine Brock & Liliann Tant
2024 Winter Dance, “Paquita,” with choreography adapted by Marion Tonner, Dancer: Katelynn Roubal
2024 Winter Dance, “Hand in Hand” Choreography by Shelley Bourgeois