LaGrange, Georgia is known for its dedication and esteem of the fine arts; but never before have I seen such a reason for this admiration than on Saturday, March 21, 2009, when the Lafayette Ballet Company presented “Sleeping Beauty.” We all have heard, if not grown up with the inspiring tale of “loves first kiss,” but the enchanting portrayal of this theme by the Lafayette Ballet Company was incredible. As the curtain opens on a magnificent set design, the audience witnesses the celebration of the birth of Aurora, the main character. In addition to this plot, one will also see the passion and excitement that this company is about to bring to the timeless tale. Young women and men ranging in age from 13-20 take on an unprecedented level of professionalism and bring to life characters such as fairies, princes, princesses, and of course, wicked witches. Coupled with graceful, yet strong movements is an ability to capture the character of these fairy tale individuals that, in an age of modernity in which most movies are unsuitable for family viewing, gives the family a newfound love for the classic tale and a chance to experience the purity of the inspiring story. As the show progresses, the audience is dealt a series of wonderful scenes coupled with breathtaking set work that lends itself to develop emotions of fear, excitement, happiness and elation. One particular scene that I thoroughly enjoyed was the moment in which Carabosse (the wicked witch) played by senior Mary Liz Taylor, crashes Aurora’s (played by Taylor Ellen) 16^th birthday to fulfill her promise of making Aurora prick her finger on a cursed object and die. The scene is a fantastic portrayal of the work students such these two, and teachers, such as LBC Director Nancy Gell, do to create a stunning visual that captivates the audience: as the scene ends, the ethereal, goddess-like, Lilac Fairy (played by Claire Mallory) intervenes to place Aurora and the townspeople in a deep, 100-year sleep. These individuals not only dance with precision and accuracy, but they create a moment that I will not soon forget. As that scene ends, the townspeople and Aurora are frozen on stage in peaceful sleep, Carabosse and her minions are vanquished, and in front of an expertly lighted set depicting an enchanted wood (created with backdrops of trees and castles) the Lilac Fairy dances a somber, but powerful variation with a partially lit visage that exudes the message of this company: powerful expression coupled with dedication and professionalism. As the show progresses the audience is treated with a spectacular backdrop of forest in which Prince Desiré (played by Todd Foxx), hunters, and baronesses dance a wonderful variation made lively with traditional costumes and characterizations of royal life. As his court departs, the Prince is met by the incandescent Lilac Fairy, who delivers him the vision of the fair Aurora asleep among the townspeople; he is smitten, and goes to Aurora to defeat the malevolent Carabosse in a witty, energetic battle that ends with Carbosse dying by her own evil device (used to prick Aurora’s finger), and the Prince ushering the crucial kiss that awakens the Princess. The dancing displayed was the quintessence of what “Sleeping Beauty” was and the perfected message of love conquering all. This production ends with a wedding to remember as fairy tale creatures from all around join Aurora and the Prince: The White Cat (played by Mitzi Anderson) and Puss in Boots (Chase Hall), Little Red Riding Hood (Haley Batchelor) and the Wolf, and Princesss Florine (played by Skye Mauldin) and the Blue Bird (played by Cristian Laverde Koneig). Each of these fairy tale creatures dance together in a manner that is true to their character; the two cats with back and forth paw banter as they parade around the stage; Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf deliver a great chase scene as she manages to outrun and persuade the Wolf to stay away; and The Blue Bird along with Princess Florine give the audience an incredible display of skill and hard work as the embodiment of professionalism with their amazing partnering work as the audience is entranced while the Princess gracefully floats through the air on the shoulders of the Blue Bird. As the Prince and Aurora dance their Grand Pas de Deux with wonderful leaps and precision turns, one can see not only the hours of practice, but the simple love of the art form and this everlasting story. Having danced with this company before, I was delighted to see this production prior to stepping in the door, yet, as great artists began to dance, and talent from all over the United States (two of the male leads were performed by Todd Foxx and Christian Laverde Knoeig, both outside company artists) took center stage, one could realize the work that had been put in to make this show spectacular. In a recession stricken economy, some things are priceless and timeless, and the Lafayette Ballet Company is one of them.

By Demetrice Tuttle

(Demetrice Tuttle is sophomore Sociology major at LaGrange College)

Event Complete 8/2008

LaGrange Daily News
When the dancers in Lafayette Ballet Company take the stage Friday night for the opening of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” they will be garbed in the fruits of the imagination of Nancy Gell, artistic director of the ballet. Most people know Gell as a passionate teacher, but many don’t know about the hundreds of hours she puts into every production. Gell chooses all the music, designs the sets, selects the backdrops, choreographs and stages the ballet, designs the costumes, hires a technical crew and casts the show. She also makes schedules and brings in guest artists.

“Now, I have a lot of people helping me,” she said, with a laugh. “It’s not just me.”

However, it is her vision and creativity that puts the magic into every production. And the costuming for “Midsummer” was a special joy for her, she said, especially the fairy garb.

“I wanted fabrics that would be sheer, sparkle and have a soft luster in order to create a diaphanous, dreamy, fantasy quality,” she said.

But, there is one thing that Gell does for every production that is her special gift to her dancers. She makes every beaded headpiece worn in every show.

“I love being in a creative mode, and the beading for the headpieces allows me to think while keeping my hands busy,” she said. “Often, I think about the girl I am designing the headpiece for and the role she is dancing, and this stimulates thoughts about how to bring something out in her dancing while working with her in classes and rehearsals.”

The work has a more practical result as well.

“It helps keep me calm, I think mostly because there is a tangible result,” she said.

For the 12 fairy headpieces in “Midsummer,” Gell said she was thinking outside the usual Disney view of fairies.

“I was very fixated on the realm of ‘fairie,’ more along the lines of the elves in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and the Celtic legends,” she said. “So, I kept seeing a medieval circlet design in my head. I drew several versions of this, settled on my favorite and then made a prototype.”

She purchases her leads from several sources, including discount stores as well as internet sites, where she can get the more unusual sizes and colors. She said she started making the headpieces in mid-February and finished them the first of April. Each headpiece took about 24 hours to create, she said.

Why does she spend so much time on such intricate costume pieces? It’s all for her dancers, she said.

“I love the look on a girl’s face the first time she puts on her headpiece,” she said. “They say it makes them feel beautiful and like a ‘real’ dancer. It’s really magical.”

The Lafayette Ballet presents William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Troup High School’s fine arts auditorium. Tickets at $15 for adults and $12 for senior citizens and students for reserved seating; and $12 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and students for senior citizens and students are available at Lafayette Society for Performing Arts, 214 Bull St., Artists in Residence and Hill Street House.

Throughout Music in Motion®’s 45+ year history there have been many people in our lives.

Julie Bickerton Bravata
Danced with MIM in Hawaii went on to American Ballet Theatre, NYC.
After successful performing career she is now teaching at Southern Dance Theatre in Boynton Beach Florida.

Roy “Skip” Newton
Danced with MIM in Norfolk VA in theatre productions for many years and was a regular at the Cavalier Dinner Playhouse.  He still lives in Norfolk, doing interior design.

Sharon Dwinnell
Danced with MIM in Washington DC and participated in the Old Dominion Symphony Tours through out the state. After a successful performing career and raising her 2 boys, Sharon now lives in Colorado.

Faye McPhee Cain runs a dance company and school in Maine.
They do an annual Nutcracker, regularly participate in festivals and community events.
Faye was a valuable member of the MIM Company in Hawaii, creating the lead role in Butterflies for Christopher. Last year another MIM dancer, Lina Castillo visited with her in Maine.
The company plans to participate in the SHARING OUR CULTURES event in Ithaca NY for National Dance Week. Faye’s email; dancers@tidewater.net.

Stephanie Wing
Since I left Hawaii in 1974/5,  I have been living in the San Francisco bay.  I am still married to Jimmy, 38 yrs and our two daughters, Nicki and Lexi, are doing great and live nearby. They both work and help manage a high end kitchen and bathroom design room/company.  I danced with San Jose Ballet, and then became the Director for a few years. I continued teaching and became an International ballet coach working closely with San Francisco Ballet, Washington Ballet, Joeffry Ballet, Munich Opera Ballet, Stugart Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and many more. My  private students won awards world wide including, The Prix de Lausanne,  The Presidential Arts Award and the National Endowment for the Arts and I coached a soloist from San Francisco Ballet for the International Competition where we won the Bronze medal in the world.  I have done a lot of bit part acting, joined Sweet Adeline’s Chorus, had two T. V shows on cable, one a work out show the other a health show, producing the later.  I became a Rev. so I can Officiate at weddings and now I do that full time plus I own my own wedding planning company,  Stephanie’s Elite Wedding Service. I still go on auditions for acting and take hip hop dance classes 5 times a week.  I love my family and my life and I go after anything and everything I want to do before I die.

Did ya ever wonder -
“Where are they now?”
More to come!!

Exploring the skills needed to choreograph with Barbara W. Thuesen, a step by step series of classes inspiring students through the process of choreography. Text book is included.
Lesson plans cover:
Necessary decision making steps, auditions, rehearsals. How to work with a composer, technical director and other collaborators needed for a successful collection of a choreographic work. This is a core curriculum course age appropriate, 12 through college level, that can be broken down into smaller workshops. 2-12 weeks, 3-4 hours per day with research 3-4 hours, time can vary depending on the goal - exploration or full presentation, with a deadline.
As a student with Music in Motion® you’ll Develop a production taking you through the production process - how to complete and produce a successful program - pre-production techniques, plans and implementation. Develop management-related production skills, come up with practical promotion, advertising plans and timetables for your productions. 4-8 hours- as many sessions as needed to complete plan and tools.
And you’ll learn about…
Lighting and sound assistance for a specific production or workshop in how to develop a lighting and sound plot, resources needed and specific problems to be solved. Staging - the how’s and why of putting certain actions in specific locations - problem solving to create a smooth running efficient and effective program. A problem solving session(s) for a specific or imaginary production, leading to an actual presentation. 2 weeks, 4 hours per day with research 3-4 hours.
You can take…
Workshops on makeup, character enhancement, including clowning. 2-4 hours/ 2 sessions Workshops on organizing, developing, producing, gathering props for a production. 1-2 hours Research projects, funding. 2-4 hours/ 2 sessions Use sacred dance - its history, rationale, building an audience for it in your area.
These are practical, hands on sessions with Registered Dance Educator/Artist leading the students through the process, with assessment and evaluation.

We have education oriented studios, placing emphasis on the development of classical and contemporary skills, growth through proper training and development for a professional career in dance; a positive teaching approach to all levels and capabilities.

Instruction is offered in the following disciplines:
* Classical Ballet
* Contemporary Ballet
* Modern Dance
* Jazz
* Tap
* Character/Ethnic Dance
* Highland with Eleanor Unger, RASD (VA)
* Partnering
* Gymnastics (VA)
* Master Classes available

Music in Motion® provides production support and assistance for positive economic impact: choreographers, guest artists, master teachers, stage managers, production assistance, scenery, original music, lighting, staging full length classics, cut down classics and original works of dance. We support partnerships with schools, businesses and arts groups.

We can help with:
The Production development and completion of a successful program.
Lighting and sound assistance for a specific production, developing a lighting and sound plot, Staging - to create a smooth running efficient and effective program.Music in Motion® since 1966 has been involved in all phases of dance: flexability and fitness for athletics Title III projects research for and with state arts councils and the US Office of Education Arts partnerships, music festivals to fully staged production at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts Proscenium theatres, such as the Virginia Beach pavilion, Stam;ey, Leeward, Strand Smaller venues in the round, thrust, and park settings.

A main focus has been on studios, public and private, offering professional training; regional dance companies and partnerships on the college/university level.

Benefits of affiliation with Music in Motion®:

People willing to share practical help on operating a dance school or performing company.
Use of federally registered and nationally recognized trademark, logos, and products.

By combining our talents, skills and resources we have, throughout the years, gained and shared a great deal of knowledge. We can share this with you.

Music in Motion® provides production support and assistance for positive economic impact: choreographers, guest artists, master teachers, stage managers, production assistance, scenery, original music, lighting, staging full length classics, cut down classics and original works of dance. We support partnerships with schools, businesses and arts groups.

We can help with:
The Production development and completion of a successful program.
Lighting and sound assistance for a specific production, developing a lighting and sound plot, Staging - to create a smooth running efficient and effective program.Music in Motion® since 1966 has been involved in all phases of dance: flexability and fitness for athletics Title III projects research for and with state arts councils and the US Office of Education Arts partnerships, music festivals to fully staged production at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts Proscenium theatres, such as the Virginia Beach pavilion, Stam;ey, Leeward, Strand Smaller venues in the round, thrust, and park settings.

A main focus has been on studios, public and private, offering professional training; regional dance companies and partnerships on the college/university level.

Benefits of affiliation with Music in Motion®:

People willing to share practical help on operating a dance school or performing company.
Use of federally registered and nationally recognized trademark, logos, and products.

By combining our talents, skills and resources we have, throughout the years, gained and shared a great deal of knowledge. We can share this with you.