Friday, August 29, 2008

OBT Exposed

If you haven't been down to the park yet, tomorrow's your last chance to see the unpolished inner workings of a dance company's daily routine. Class is first, followed by rehearsals for the new piece choreographed by David Justin on the apprentices and advanced students. In a nod to the fact that this is all happening on a stage of sorts, at the end of the day tomorrow there will also be a short performance of a ballet choreographed by Anne Mueller, one of OBT's longest-serving dancers. She made this particular piece last month for a performance at the Sweet Pea Festival of the arts in Bozeman, Montana, and it's wonderful-- a series of solos, duets, and trios set to the music of Patsy Cline.

I wouldn't want to do it all the time, but dancing out there under the tent in the park is fun. There's nothing like dancing outdoors in this beautiful late-summer weather, looking out at the trees and blue sky instead of staring at my own image in the mirror. And the feeling of camping out that comes naturally when a tent is involved lends everything a more casual air, which is a nice change. One of the very best things is watching the little girls, decked out in their finest ballet wear, dancing about on the rugs laid out in front of our little stage. That would totally have been me, many years ago.

Here's Brennan after class today:


And here's Olga:

Christopher always takes a minute or two to thank the sponsors who make OBT Exposed possible and answer a few questions from the audience:

Please come see us tomorrow and bring your questions!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks so much to all of you who came to the tent today to see my piece! I was so inspired by the enthusiasm of the crowd (and the fantastic questions asked in the Q and A). I regret that our schedule ran a little fast and extend my apologies to those of you who may have missed part of the showing. Your support means a great deal to me (and to all of OBT) and I look forward to seeing you again soon! -Anne

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