BRATTLEBORO — Company of Muses and Brattleboro School of Dance present Earth Dances at the New England Youth Theatre the weekend of May 19-21.
The theme of this year's spring concert celebrates the woodlands that are part of the New England landscape, says Mucuy Bolles, a member of the Brattleboro School of Dance faculty making her debut as the artistic director for the annual showcase of students.
“Through movement, we can provoke further awareness concerning the relationship each one of us has with the environment and the Earth, from the familiar sights and sounds we experience every day to the surreal possibilities under cloak of night,” Bolles says in a news release.
Technical elements and costumes emphasize the magical aspects of Bolles' vision, including adult dancers clad as fairies and fireflies and young dancers serving the roles of birds, butterflies, and other woodland creatures. Video artist Michel Moyse also provides artwork for the production.
Choreography for the pieces features modern dance and contemporary ballet. Brattleboro School of Dance owner Jennifer Moyse provides choreography, along with faculty members Holly Johnson, Rachel Hebert, Jamie Harrison Gehring, Anna Bowler, and Sophia Marx.
Guest choreographers include Patricia Wilson, Marion Major, Mike DiFilippo, and Justin Vasselli.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20. There is also a 4 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 21. General admission for each show is $15 and $12 for seniors and children under 12 years old. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.EarthDances.brownpapertickets.com.
Tickets also will be available at the Brattleboro School of Dance Studio, 22 High St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, May 13, and at the New England Youth Theater box office (100 Flat Street, Brattleboro) from 4 to 6 p.m., May 15-17, and 5 to 6 p.m. on May 18.
Proceeds from the concert benefit The Company of Muses scholarship program.
Company of Muses is a nonprofit organization made up of faculty, family, and friends of the Brattleboro School of Dance whose purpose is to raise funds for dance scholarships for BSD students, faculty, and alumni. For more information, visit www.companyofmuses.org.