Midsummer for Dummies 101

I’m going to start this post off by sharing a little secret… (Drum Roll) I didn’t pay any attention to Shakespeare whatsoever in high school.

If this sounds like you, definitely keep reading. We’re in the same boat.

If you were a teacher’s pet and absolutely adored Shakespeare then also keep reading to laugh at my expense and to give you a little refresher on the barebones of the story. (Although I’m sure you don’t need it…)

So back to me: My experience with Shakespeare went a little like this…

Interaction 1:
In middle school, theatre was what all the cool kids did and I wasn’t a “cool” kid (apparently). They did A Midsummer Night’s Dream and they were intolerably proud of themselves, so I went to the show with high expectations. It certainly was a comedy, but not in the way it was intended. Do I remember the funny story? No. Do I remember everyone in tights and fairy costumes blabbering in bad English accents? Yes. I wish I’d taken pictures so I could put them up on Facebook.

Interaction 2:
I didn’t come back in contact with Shakespeare until high school. By then, I’d realized that sparknotes.com was my friend, so reading it really wasn’t a requirement, but more like a suggestion. My thoughts about Macbeth obviously had no impression on me whatsoever.

Interaction 3:
During the next year of high school I realized that sonnets are actually pretty cool. Even if half of the words are no longer or never were in the English language, I still appreciated it.

Interaction 4:
Now senior year is what really left a bad taste in my mouth with Shakespeare. My closest experience to Shakespeare was “acting out” Julius Caesar in my theatre class. Mind you, I didn’t sign up for this class and I was severely intimidated by my teacher. I got in trouble for stumbling over words. I got in trouble for pausing too long. I got in trouble for pretty much about everything in that class, especially being late, but that’s not really Shakespeare related. Anyway, one day, my character had to stab Caesar. I’m not a really “stab Caesar” kind of person and of course, I wasn’t doing it right. After failing to stab Caesar properly, I kind of gave up on Shakespeare.

BUT – I’m making an exception for Midsummer and if you’re not the biggest Shakespeare fan, so should you!

The Story:
Here’s a short intro to the story in 21st century layman’s terms.

The main plot follows two sets of couples (Hermia & Lysander and Helena & Demetrius), who have difficult love affairs. Their romances are further complicated after entering the enchanted forest where Oberon, King of the Fairies and his Queen, Titania live among the fairies. Oberon’s servant named Puck is an ornery kid playing tricks on everyone and he’s a main character in the story. Other visitors to the forest include Bottom and some of his friends who want to rehearse their play Pyramus and Thisbe.

It’s a complex story of love where reality crosses into the out-of-control world of fantasy. In the end, true love triumphs…

To learn more, you’ll have to come see the show. Now that you have this basis, you shouldn’t be too lost in following the story.

Midsummer Fun Facts:
-A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written and performed between the years 1595 and 1600.

-The setting for the comedy is in Athens, Greece.

-Midsummer in England was June 24, which was the feast of John the Baptist. It was alleged
that on Midsummer night all the fairies and witches held their festival.

-The number of spoken words in the play is 17,200. (Luckily, remember, this is a dance show, so we don’t have to hear all those!)

In Elizabethan times, boys and men played all the parts in Shakespeare’s plays.

Food for Thought:
(Or more like quotes for thought)

“The course of true love never did run smooth”
–Lysander tells Hermia that true love is never perfect and that all lovers have troubles.

“I’ll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes.”
-Puck tells how fast he went to fetch the magical flower.

“My heart is true as steel”
-Helena explains her feelings for Demetrious.

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!"
-Puck comments on the trials and tribulations of Helena, Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius.

“My Oberon! What visions have I seen! Methought I was enamoured of an ass.”
-Titania’s first words after she awakes from her love-charm.

I'm seeing the show tonight! I hope to see you there.

A Time to Dance

BalletMet collaborated with Ministry in Motion Ohio Worship Arts, a Columbus community-based worship and performing arts organization to host a liturgical dance workshop and showcase open to the community this past weekend.

The 51 participants were a diverse group with different levels of dance experience with varying denominations. There was a melting-pot of ethnicities and ages with dancers as young as 13 and as old as in their 70s. (It’s definitely my new aspiration in life to be still dancing when I’m in my 70s!)

The day began for participants with a morning devotion and prayer. Following this was a variety of dance classes: modern taught by BalletMet instructor Maria Glimcher, ballet taught by BalletMet’s Katy Tombaugh Henn, jazz taught by Mariah Layne French from XClaim Dance, a local faith-based dance company, flag worship taught by Rochelle Pitts from God’s Glory Dance Ministry, and finally a choreography class taught by BalletMet’s Director of Education, Ambre Emory-Maier.

Ambre, who coordinated the event, described the workshop atmosphere as “uplifting and positive.” The participants were eager to learn and to be in the company of other like-minded people who love to dance, she said.

After the day’s work, the participants prepared for their time to take the stage in the evening’s showcase in the BalletMet performance space, where Ambre was stage and production manager.

The proceeds from the showcase, which totaled to $277, were “love donations” from the audience. These funds were donated to the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus for Haiti aid.

In all there were 9 dances with varied music from contemporary rock, gospel, classical, Latin-inspired, and even a live, original song. The costumes were of simple, conservative dress with an emphasis on the color, which hold important religious and spiritual meanings.

A special feature of the performance was a pas de deux performed by BalletMet trainees Monica Giragosian and Emelio Lugo. The piece entitled Bach Cantata #10 was choreographed by Michael Uthoff, Artistic and Executive Director of Dance St. Louis.

This is BalletMet’s third year hosting this event and it’s an event that Ambre looks forward to every year because of the community outreach. Often, liturgical dancers never get the opportunity to dance in a large space with mirrors and perform on a stage, she said.

“We see a need within the community that we’re trying to meet,” she said. “By offering our facility and dance expertise participants begin to know BalletMet. By doing this type of program we’re not making a statement about religion, but rather building a partnership for which all can learn.”

Ministry in Motion’s founder Lorii Williams Wallace describes the workshop as a “wonderful partnership” that fosters both personal growth and fellowship with others. It’s a great opportunity for members of the community to get dance training from professional dancers, she said.

After dancing for many years Lorii started Ministry in Motion to use dance as a means to “unite people, to heal, to develop others, and to create wonderful visions by bringing the words in the Bible to life.” Since then, the organization has worked with over 100 churches, dance companies, and organizations.

Click here to learn more about Ministry in Motion's upcoming events and how to get involved.

A Tutu for Me Too?! Thanks!

Today is day three as BalletMet’s new marketing intern. Day one I showed off my superior sorting skills in the box office. Day two I practiced my rockin’ bundling abilities with flyers, sat in on an awesome Columbus Dispatch photo shoot, and got a tour of this amazing facility. Today has been deemed “start our fantastic blog again day” and I’m elated to be taking the reins!

A little bit about me… My name is Nicole and I’m a junior at The Ohio State University. I’m a strategic communication major with a minor in dance. At the age of three, my mom put me in my first dance class. Seventeen years later, I still haven’t left and I never plan on leaving. I know that dance will always hold an important place in my life, whether it’s through teaching, performing, creating, promoting, or viewing.

Growing up in the Columbus area, I’ve been a lifer of The Nutcracker. The holiday season isn’t complete without the annual escapade downtown to the Ohio Theatre. I’m so excited to learn more about what BalletMet’s academy and company does in the community, behind the scenes, and on the stage. I hope you are too!

This blog will keep you up to date on BalletMet events, while also providing a special sneak peak of everything that goes into them! I’ll be interviewing our celebrities, aka our dancers. I’ll be posting tons of pictures, videos, and backstage info about how the magic happens here at BalletMet.

I look forward to taking this journey with you! Check back frequently!

That being said – the 2009-2010 BalletMet season continues on Friday, Feb. 5 with the enchanted A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Capitol Theatre.

(Hint: This might be a fantastic Valentine’s Day date idea! Midsummer will surely put the love in the air!)

Get your tickets here: http://www.balletmet.org/tickets.php