BRATTLEBORO-The saying "it takes a village" rings true for "Efflorescence," the spring show of the Brattleboro School of Dance (BSD), which is coming to the New England Youth Theatre on May 16, 17, and 18.
A dozen choreographers are working with 60 area dancers, ranging in age from 6 to 76. Each choreographer is working to create a unique piece within the show.
A dozen or so staff work front of the house and backstage, taking on roles like lighting and sound design, stage managing, production managing, hair and makeup, costumes, box office manager, bake sale manager, chaperones for the little kids, and more. It certainly does take a village.
Many things define this spring show.
"Each of our Spring Shows is highly unique because we make a point to give our choreographers complete autonomy," says Bridget Struthers, director of Brattleboro School of Dance and co-artistic director of the spring show.
"Each piece is choreographed by a different artist, who has a unique vision. Over the course of around 12 weeks, each choreographer works with their cast to develop a completely original and new piece of art. It is very exciting to see all the various voices come together under one umbrella of this show," Struthers says.
She notes that the title of the show, "Efflorescence," means blossoming: a feeling of bursting forth with energy, creativity, and life.
It's also a personal journey for each choreographer, and several have ties to the area.
Mucuy Bolles is a professional dancer who danced with the Alvin Ailey Dance company and is the former owner of the Mayan restaurant Three Stones in Brattleboro. In this show, Bolles is choreographing a piece called "Asturias."
"Mucuy is an amazing dancer who dances contemporary, modern, and ballet. She was a professional dancer most of her life and to have her here with us is incredible," Struthers says.
Another choreographer of note this year is Patricia Wilson, the co-director of the Institute for Dunham Technique Certification, who teaches at BSD.
"Patricia is an incredible teacher and choreographer and a gem in the community," Struthers says. Wilson is choreographing a piece called "Sea Change."
Another local name people will recognize is Alison Mott, who used to teach dance at Marlboro College and has taught on and off at BSD for many years.
"Alison was one of my teachers and I'm dancing in her piece 'Trio for Four,' which is so fun," Struthers says.
One more local star whom Struthers points out is Louisa-Marie Mann, who had a professional dance career and is now back in the area.
"She was an alum of BSD and is now teaching and choreographing for the show, a piece called 'In the Trees.' It's another example of an alum coming back into the fold," Struthers says.
When asked what brings her hope in these trying times today, Struthers says, "It's why we chose this title: 'Efflorescence' - life, creation, art, and action. These are the things keeping me going. Dance takes all things, even the darkest, and puts them forth into a positive leap. This show has a lot of floral imagery, which to me represents an openness, freshness, and availability. In these times it is so important to stay open."
Holly Johnson, of Weathersfield, serves as co-artistic director of the spring show and has taught at BSD for over 40 years.
She was in graduate school at Antioch University when she discovered BSD.
"I used to substitute teach for a jazz class and I never left. I have taught tap, jazz, modern, fitness, conditioning, and combinations class and advanced beginning ballet for adults," Johnson says.
"I danced in regional companies in the Boston area. I've choreographed many pieces over the years. My favorite dance form is ballet. I'm in love with ballet. The technique of ballet is the foundation for all other Western dance forms," Johnson adds.
Johnson explained that "Efflorescence" has a beautiful poster with artwork that Katie Hughes designed for BSD. "It's a picture of lilies with the stamens turned into dancers and is just stunning," Johnson noted.
What does the title of the show mean to her?
"Efflorescence means something coming to fruition or coming to blossom. It captures the process of choreographing dance pieces when you start with an idea that's like a seed and it blossoms into a vision and then the choreographers make it into a piece of movement. The dancers go into their own process to solidify the movement as a group into something coherent and beautiful," Johnson says.
There is something for everyone at the spring show.
"We like to put in some classical pieces this year and the girls are doing en pointe in some 'Swan Lake' excerpts. I'm amazed at watching the incredible strength of those dancers," Johnson says.
Johnson explains that last year was the first year the organization started allowing students to do their own pieces of choreography.
"This year, we have a student piece that is choreographed by two of our students and they have 13 dancers (young kids) and it's kind of a contemporary piece with a little bit of hip-hop movement in it," Johnson says.
"In the piece that I choreographed, 'Breakthrough,' I used a fusion of music that has a combination of Mozart mixed in with an Adele song that is done by The Piano Guys that was inspiring to me. It's very jazzy and poignant and becomes very high-energy. It started off from a place of struggle and then something positive comes from it."
Another piece in the show that Johnson is very excited about is the one by Mucuy Bolles.
"Mucuy Bolles is a star professional dancer who returned to Brattleboro. She danced for many years in NYC with the Alvin Ailey Company. She's an extraordinary teacher, dancer and choreographer. She choreographed a Flamenco-influenced piece for eight of our dancers which is really quite striking," Johnson says.
Johnson says she is proud of the high quality of the Brattleboro School of Dance productions.
"The quality of what BSD produces is topnotch. We strive to put on a professional-quality production. You audition to be in a piece, you get cast in a piece. We evaluate the level and special qualities of each dancer. We try to match up the level of technique which is what is required in each piece and we rehearse outside of class time."
"I really feel that what we bring uplifts the audience. We strive to create something that is high-quality and beautiful, and I hope it's an enriching experience for the audience," Johnson says.
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Brattleboro School of Dance presents a spring show, "Efflorescence," at the New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St., Brattleboro. There are four shows: Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.
For tickets ($16; $12 for those younger than 12 and those age 65 and older) and more information, visit brattleboroschoolofdance.com.
This Arts item by Victoria Chertok was written for The Commons.