27 April 2022
The particular cutthroat world of pre-teen competitive dance is overtaking the Trustus Theatre phase, but not in the way you might think. Regardless of the popularity of behind-the-scenes play in reality shows such as “Dance Moms, ” and the variety of opportunities for younger dancers at studios throughout the Midlands, ambitious adolescents normally are not featured in Clare Barron’s “Dance Nation, ” the most recent offering from Columbia’s longest-running professional theater. Instead, mature actors of diverse age range and backgrounds will show members of a troupe associated with angst-filled tweens in a screenplay that was a 2019 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize within Drama. “Dance Nation” starts April 29 and operates through May 14. “From the first time I read this, I knew this was the ‘Trustus show’ because of the limitations it pushed, and because from the magic it creates onstage, inch said director Abigail McNeely. “It is loud, in fact it is feral, and it is challenging, in fact it is transformative — exactly the method I like my theater. inch
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“Dance Nation’s” story revolves around an elite group of driven, middle-school-aged dancers determined to make it all the way towards the finals of national competitors, while contending with the psychological and physical challenges associated with adolescence. The cast, varying in age from twenties to fifties, includes Martha Hearn, Ilene Fins, Silpada Coulter, Julian Deleon, At the Houck-Zozaya, Layal Issa, plus Gaby Walker as the dancers, with Jonathan Monk because their teacher, and Tashera Pravato in multiple roles because parents. The script hit a chord with McNeely from the start. “I don’t know that will I’ve ever read the play that so completely captures the depth from the adolescent experience and how effective that time in our life is, inch she said. “Not simply because of the amount of change plus hormones, but because of exactly how mysterious life seems in between ‘child’ and ‘adult. ‘ Right around this time – among 11-14 years old – could be the first time women are informed how to look, how to talk, how to be small, methods to serve, and what I love concerning this show is that these females don’t do any of that. “In addition to a largely woman cast, McNeely assembled the production team of all females, from stage managers in order to running crew. Scenic style is by Heather Hawfield, with choreography from Brailey Johnson, assisted by Shaundra Moreland. Lauren Sherr created the lighting, with outfits by Andie Nicks, plus props by Carrie Chalfant. And McNeely enlisted Kathleen Pennyway as the play’s closeness choreographer, which she referred to as “game-changing. “”It was vital to me to work with women that understood this story, that lived through being a pre-teen girl, and who continue to keep thrive in a male-dominated market, ” the director described.
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The lady remarked on the gender make-up of the production. While the enjoy focuses on the travails plus tribulations of kids, push materials warn of “content not suitable for all ages, inch with further details offered at the theater’s website. Furthermore of note is the come back of the theater’s complimentary snacks for the first time since 2020, right after it was nixed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dance Nation” continues to be described by its playwright as a “ghost play, inch McNeely said. “These pre-teen girls are being haunted simply by who they grow up to become. Seeing all of us tap into that will terrifying, thrilling time in existence again has been so enjoyable. This is an incredibly powerful display, ” she said. McNeely, the Vista non-profit’s marketing communications and production manager, offers previously directed “The Thanksgiving holiday Play” in November associated with 2020, the theater’s’ very first on-demand streaming play — and winner of the 2020 Free Times Best of Columbia award for Local Movie theater Production — as well as 2017’s “A Christmas Miracle on the Richland Fashion Mall, inch an original piece created by The particular Mothers, the resident Trustus improv comedy team.
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