| Back to Articles
Ladies of the Dance
Ladies of the Dance
Baton Rouge Ballet Theater celebrates women with its season's final performance, 'Montage'
By Justin Fritscher
Entertainment Writer
April 11, 2005
While many University students sleep in late on Saturdays, members of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater are busy practicing for the culmination of their season, the theater's performance of “Montage."
Three students perform in the ballet and three University instructors help direct and choreograph the performance.
Molly Buchmann, director of dance for the Department of Theater and co-director of “Montage," said the performance includes five different sections, each choreographed by a different dancer.
Buchmann choreographed one of the pieces, “In a Women's Voice." Buchmann said the ballerinas dance to folk songs sung by women and that certain sections of the ballet represent different parts of a woman's life. “In a Women's Voice" touches on love, family and friendship, she said.
Sharon Matthews, co-director of “Montage," staged an excerpt from Act 2 of Giselle, “The Willi's." Sarah Boise, a mass communication senior, dances the lead role in that piece, “The Queen of the Willi's."
Susan Perlis, University ballet teacher, choreographed a neoclassical ballet to the music of Rachmaninoff, which will be played by Willis Delony, pianist from the University's School of Music.
The other two sections of the ballet feature a modern performance for five women, choreographed by Kathleen Spinazzola, University instructor in dance, and a neoclassical piece choreographed by Michele Ball, BRBT instructor.
In “Montage," most dancers participate in three of the five pieces and get to dance in a variety of roles.
“In one of the pieces, I get to be a ballerina," said Erin Gilbert, a graphic design freshman and six-year member of the BRBT. “I also get to dance in some of the more modern pieces as well."
“This performance showcases more extraordinary dances than ever," Buchmann said.
Kathleen Toben, an education freshman and BRBT dancer, said the performers spend a lot of time of practicing for the performance.
“It's a lot of work," Toben said. “We rehearse everyday."
Toben said she takes an hour-and-a-half-long class every weekday and attends an hour-and-a-half-long rehearsal afterward. On Saturdays, she practices from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Buchmann said many student dancers from the BRBT dance professionally in companies and on Broadway and receive scholarships from prestigious university dance programs such as Julliard, New York University and Texas Christian University.
“I would like to keep dancing and dance in a professional dance company," Toben said.
Buchmann also complimented Baton Rouge's dance community, saying the city has a many dance opportunities. Buchmann attributes one of the reasons to the University's dance program and its creation of a dance minor in 2000.
Buchmann said besides major performances, BRBT tries to foster arts and education programs at local schools and libraries. She said the theater holds school-day matinees of major performances.
“This builds and educates the dance audience," Buchmann said.
The BRBT also has brought in well know dance companies, including Complexions and Martha Graham Dance Company.
Buchmann said “Montage" is the conclusion of the BRBT's season.
The performance will be April 22 and tickets are $20. They can be purchased from the BRBT office at 766-8379.
|
