One of the fastest-growing dance enterprises in the
Tristate is in children's performance, companies that have been
designed to feature kids in professional productions with kids'
themes. There are three that perform regularly: Cincinnati
Ballet's Budig Academy, ballet tech of ohio and Next
Generation Dance Company.
Next Generation's latest venture was Pinocchio at the
Aronoff Center's Jarson-Kaplan Theater in early February. With
choreography by Alexei Kremnev, it brought dance for kids to a
whole new level.
It is very difficult to create ballets for children that a) don't
look like recitals, b) challenge young dancers while
simultaneously making them look good, c) don't put the
audience to sleep, and d) reach the level of professional dance.
In spite of an obviously limited budget, Mr. Kremnev
succeeded in all of the above.
With his wife, Anna Reznik, assisting, he created some
of the most interesting children's choreography in memory and
introduced young phenom — 12-year-old Hannah Spiegel — as
Pinocchio. Expect to hear more about her in coming years.
Artistic director Tatyana Makarova describes Next
Generation as "... a bridge for young dancers between dance
school and professional company. Our cast members come to
open auditions where we select the best."
More than half a dozen Tristate dance schools were
represented in this latest production, and Ms. Makarova prefers
to keep it that way. Her focus is a company open to everyone,
as opposed to one linked primarily to her school.
Next up: Jungle Book in September with choreography
by School for Creative and Performing Arts teacher Daryl
Bjoza. Auditions are being scheduled; call 351-4444 for
information.
