Dance Academy production features nearly 300 performers
CARIBOU, Maine — The Maine Dance Academy recently brought the tale of Cinderella to the stage in its annual recital at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.
According to instructor and owner Colleen DuPlissie, the show was a success, showing to sellout crowds and rousing applause.
TMDA, under the direction of DuPlissie and Clarann Floyd, created their 22nd dance program entitled ‘Once Upon A Time.” With dazzling characters, dramatic sets and nearly 280 dancers and tumblers, the cast and crew brought to life the story of Cinderella.
With the help of a talented staff of choreographers and tumbling instructors, Danielle Peterson, Krista Cyr and Emma Jandreau, along with 10 graduating seniors who played the main characters of the show, the audience was brought to laughter and tears, DuPlissie said. “Group after group entertained the packed crowds with seamless dance movements from song to song as well as incredible acting from the academy’s seniors,” she added.
The story included a variety of characters that took on lives of their own, with audiences laughing at the naughty stepsisters, wicked stepmother and Cruella De Vil (portrayed by Molly Adams, Jillian Flynn and Shaye McHatten), and feeling the emptiness Cinderella faced after the death of her mother, Belle (Maria Espinosa and Malerie Buck).
The ball scene featured the King of Hearts and his trustworthy sidekick, Lord Pinkerton, along with Fireball (Chelsea Soucy and Mollie Cummings). Everyone needs a fairy godmother and in TMDA’s magical story, that just happened to be the Genie (Kate Finnemore). Back at the farm, Cinderella relied on the friendship of Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth (Lindsey Lagerstrom and Kenzie Pelkey) to keep her safe and comforted. Rounding out the performance were beautiful costumes, talented dancers and tumblers, and selections of music.
When asked why she had chosen to do Cinderella, DuPlissie said it was an easy decision. “Once I saw the newest movie version of ‘Cinderella,’ it was something Cinderella’s mother said to her before she passed: ‘Have courage and be kind.’ We put that saying on our recital T-shirt because I think if we can all show a little more compassion to each other and do small acts of kindness, then we can all live in a better place.”
Which is just what the Academy did. At a dress rehearsal, they learned that the home of Jamie and Jessica Bell, who are both Caribou High School teachers, had been destroyed by fire. They decided that as an Academy they could do something to help. At the end of each recital as audience members exited the performing arts center, TMDA dancers stood out in the hallway with dance hats in their hands to collect donations for the Bells.
“Our goal was to raise $1000.00 for the Bells and we far exceeded that goal,” DuPlissie said. “With the help of our very generous community we were able to donate $2,346 to the Bells to help them put this sad situation behind them.”
For further information on the academy or to register, visit www.the mainedanceacademy.com or join them this summer at their summer tumbling and dance camps.
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Contributed photo/Northscape Photography Jillian Flynn, portraying one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, enjoys a mischievous moment with Shaye McHatten as Cruella DeVil during The Maine Dance Academy’s annual recital, held recently in Caribou. Background dancers are Kerrigan Guerrette and Isabella Keegan. This year’s performance, “Once Upon a Time,” featured an animated retelling of “Cinderella.” |
