I have the solution to your worries and frustrations that inevitably and dauntingly accompany the end of the semester. Secure yourself a comfy seat in Strong Auditorium on Sunday at 7 p.m., and I guarantee the last thing that will be on your mind is that 20 page paper about the politics of Estonia due in a week. Let the Ballet Performance Group take you on a journey from serenity to passion, from Stravinsky to Shakira.
The show, aptly named “Strike A Pose,” begins with a classically dominated act one. The opening number, “Serenata” and “Pastorale” by Stravinsky, is performed by all members, a conglomeration of various skill levels and experience.
These little nymphs playfully frolic around the stage and make you feel as if you have entered some kind of enchanted forest.
The openness of members of all abilities is a major strength to the group and surprisingly does not detract from the highly synchronized presentation.
Senior Leah Wasserman, the president of the Ballet Performance Group, emphasized to me that anyone can join and dance their little heart out. The encouragement, technical instruction and choreography of their instructor, Pamela Wilkens White, helps refine their movement as well.
There are members like junior Amanda Liepke, who are exploring ballet for the first time ever, and senior Brooke Shuster, who is an accomplished dancer, with many years of instruction under her tutus.
No matter what the ability, each person’s enthusiasm is evident as they make impressive formations and intertwine their bodies to illustrate the emotion and expression of the music.
Freshman Ani Habicht demonstrates her delicate intricacy on pointe in “The Gypsy Dance” from “La Traviata.” Her technique is gorgeous.
The lightness and precision of her movements will take your breath away.
If you think ballet is boring, your whole perspective will be changed after you see what these hot and graceful girls have in store for you. Numbers like “The Gladiator Theme” and “No Creo” will excite you to no end. Take my word for it.
I literally watched with my mouth open and drooled as these dancers performed sensual and upbeat nontraditional movements of which I will be envious of for years to come.
Sophomore Ellen Ray really knew what she was doing when she choreographed “No Creo.” Man! If I could move my body like those girls, I would be able to get anything I wanted.
Habicht, Shuster, junior Rebecca Kanegeiter, and Ray use their hips seductively with the throb of Shakira’s Spanish techno beat.
They utilize the floor to concoct their bodies into positions I thought only possible of my Gumby doll. Shuster goes into the splits like it is her job.
I regretfully was not able to preview the “Hamster Dance” by Herman Hamster, “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best friend” from Moulin Rouge, or “Strike A Pose” by Madonna, all of which will be in the second act, but that will definitely be incentive for me to come back on Sunday.
If you think ballet is boring, you’re wrong. Doing work instead of coming to the show on Sunday is boring! Be there to see these girls strike some poses, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Knihnicki can be reached at jknihnicki@campustimes.org.
