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It's "Seuss"... and so much more!
Topics: dance, Civic Dance Theater, ballet, tap, jazz
Posted by Liane Mon Jun 16, 2008 23:49:29 PDT
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0 responses 2 comments

About nine years ago, one of my dear friends couldn't use her tickets to the Civic Dance Center's annual "Nutcracker" performance in conjunction with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra.  Being a former big-city girl, off I toted my toddler daughter, expecting to see a "cute" little performance to put us into the Christmas spirit.  Not only was I mesmerized, my daughter sat entirely still, both of us fixated on the astonishing costumes, the graceful dancers, and the wonderful sounds of Tchaikovsky.  This was far better than any performance I had ever seen.

Naturally, I seized the opportunity to sign my daughter up for dance lessons at a studio designed for teaching little tots.  Two classes into it, price tags now removed from the new shoes, tights and leotards, it became apparent that my daughter did not have the same intentions as I did,  judging from the screaming, crying and tight grip on her car seat as we approached the studio.  Maybe we'd try soccer or ceramics.

Years later - five to be exact - my daughter was enamored by "Barbie and the Nutcracker" and informed me she would like to be a ballerina after all.  Apprehensively, I snipped off the price tags once again, and we ventured into the Civic Dance Center for a quick summer session.  This time she was hooked.  

Fast forward another five years, and I find myself sharing a week or two sitting alongside other moms, new ones and veterans, as our kids rehearse for the Civic's 40th Annual Gala 2008.  Many of us reflected on our first Galas, remembering when it was our little ones dressed up as wee Parasol Girls or Buttercups or Birds.  Now new little dancers practiced before us, gearing up for this year's production of "Seuss", performing as Little Birds, Kids Who Fish, Clowns, and Lampshades.  It won't be long before I, too, will be joining the veteran moms, when my daughter no longer needs me to apply her stage makeup or even drive her to the studio.  This will come all too quickly, many of us moms are fully aware. 

If you weren't lucky enough to catch one of this year's four performances, I highly recommend you mark your calendar for next year's 41st.  Because of the amazing choreography talents of the Civic's Kristen Doolittle, the show isn't limited to the attention of parents and family members of the performers themselves.  The show truly provides a great bundle of entertainment for anyone even remotely interested in dance.  Each year's ballet tells an entire story such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, or Willy Wonka, with the talents of the tiniest dancers to that of the most senior dancers intertwined throughout the show.   The second portion of the program provides a vast array of Jazz, Tap, Modern and Hip Hop numbers, showing off the skilled choreography of many of the Civic's fabulous teachers, again with creative costumes and just plain fun dances!

Each performance is preceded by a cast call, where owners/directors Kevin and Cindy Trueblood take the time to recognize everyone instrumental in the success of the show.  This includes teachers and assistants, technical directors and staff,  video production, assistant directors, backstage directors, parent volunteers, and finally, the dancers themselves.  My daughter is now old enough that I do not need to accompany her to these cast calls, but it is here that many of us parents are reminded of why we don't mind shuttling our little ones to and from dance several times a week.  It is here that we realize that being part of a Civic production is more than just about dance, it is about learning responsibility, teamwork, discipline and dedication.  It is also about friendships, kindness and caring about others.  The passion and emotion that circulates the room is contagious in the best of ways.

Each year, the senior dancers perform a special and unbelievably moving "farewell" dance.  Tears flow.  Fathers or significant family members present their senior with flowers onstage as the dance sadly comes to an end.  I watch this with such an admiration for the beautiful performers they have become.  Bittersweet that it is, I can only hope my daughter will take it this far - wonderful memories are being made!

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Comment From: dancelover505

The Gala was so fun!!  Thanks for writing this article, Mom!  You're a fantastic writer!  May I have another Webkinz?!  I want the Samoyed!!!  I'll use my own money...

Comment From: Hollywood

Awesome article. I'm glad my mom is this talented.