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BYU's Ballet Showcase brings variety to the stage

The BYU Ballet Showcase company started rehearsing before school was even in session in preparation for their annual fall performance this weekend.

Ballet Showcase dancers rehearse three times a week for three to five hours each on top of technique classes, which are an hour and half long, five days a week. Suzi Wood, director of Ballet Showcase, said that all of this hard work and preparation leads to a show filled with a variety of dances.

'It is a repertoire performance of eight ballets, meaning it is simply a sampling of differing choreography ranging from classical through contemporary ballet and even includes a purely jazz piece,' Wood said. 'Students coming to this performance can expect to experience many different musical styles from the classical Vivaldi, Imogen Heap, the Vitamin String Quartet and the contemporary Philip Glass and Arvo Part, with dance styles and costuming to match.'

Felicia McPhee, a member of Ballet Showcase and a senior majoring in dance, said that the dancers and choreographers have been working hard to make this performance a great and memorable experience for the audience.

'Each piece has something to say and a message to tell whether it is fun, thought provoking, emotional, exciting or powerful,' McPhee said. 'We've really worked together to prepare to perform the art form we love.'

Kirsten Cannon, a member of Ballet Showcase and a junior majoring in dance, thinks that performing in the Dance Studio Theatre of the Richards building is unique and will allow the audience to really see the dancers' expressions, unity and love for ballet.

'Students should come because it's a great chance to see ballet performed in an up close and intimate setting,' Cannon said. 'The smaller theatre makes the audience feel very involved in the show and it's a great way to see a lot of different and fun styles of ballet showcased by different dancers.'

Wood loves working with the Ballet Showcase dancers because they are committed, dedicated, talented and loving.

'They support one another in all they do, constantly encouraging and supporting each other in their hard times and cheering them in their accomplishments,' Wood said.

Being on BYU's Ballet Showcase Company has taught Cannon to not be afraid to take chances and step out of her comfort zone. She  has learned to give it her all to what she loves and not have any regrets. Cannon expresses that the end results are well worth the sacrifices.

'Ballet Showcase has really been an uplifting and positive experience this year and I think it is because as a company, we are all working with one mind to reach our goals,' Cannon said.

The Ballet Showcase performance will be this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10, at 7:30 p.m. each night with a matinee show on Saturday at 2 p.m. BYU's Theatre Ballet company will be guests artists at the performance. The show will take place in the Dance Studio Theatre of the Richards building. Tickets can be purchased through the Fine Arts Ticket Office.