ABT dance students find themselves in good company

By K. Michelle Moran
Arts & Entertainment Editor

This summer, moviegoers will have a chance to see one young woman pursue her dancing dreams in a new movie version of the fictional “Hairspray.”

In reality, a handful of local adolescents are one step closer to achieving their own aspirations in dance. They’ve been selected to study with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre at the Detroit Opera House, one of only five sites in the U.S. hosting an ABT summer intensive program. Of 169 dancers ages 12-18 chosen from all over the world for the Detroit ABT program, less than 20 are metro Detroit natives, which puts the local dancers in some pretty good company. And Jenny Bobo, 12, of Troy, Libby Crose, 15, of Rochester, Hayley Laird, 16, of Harrison Township, Abby Miklosovic, 12, of Shelby Township, Melissa Rich, 15, of Pleasant Ridge and Caroline Sheridan, 15, of Troy are excited and grateful for this opportunity.

“It’s really challenging … but to the point where you can (still) learn from it,” Crose said after her first day of classes.

This is the 10th anniversary of the program, which culminates in two dance concerts by the students July 20 at the Opera House. Courses led by ABT teaching staff take place at the Opera House and Wayne State University, whose dormitories house the visiting students.

“Technically, they’re stretched,” said Detroit Opera House Dance Director Carol Halsted of Bloomfield Hills. “They’re studying their technique all day long for four weeks. They’re put together with teachers they may not have (otherwise).”

Some of the local students took their first dance classes as early as ages 2-3, but most agree that dance didn’t become a passion until a few years later. Despite the demands, these students say they’re willing to make sacrifices to become better.

“Without dance, it would be boring,” Miklosovic said. “For dance, I’ll work hard and I’ll love it.”

Miklosovic said the ABT program is effective because it balances fun with hard work.

The dancers take at least four classes each day — one lecture session and three dance workshops — during which they can learn dance techniques, choreography, acting, nutrition and more.

“I was impressed with the variety of teachers and the different styles we’re learning,” Sheridan said.

They get plenty of feedback and personal attention, which they say is also helpful.

“All of the teachers walk around the room and check everyone and correct everyone,” Rich said. “That’s good, so you can (find out what you’re doing wrong) and improve.”

At the same time, Halsted said, the students enjoy the camaraderie of being with other kids who have the same ambitions and interests.

“They eat with them; they talk,” she continued. “And then when the time comes to leave, they’re all in tears.”

In the span of a few weeks, their mutual love of dance bridges cultural and language barriers, and the young dancers develop friendships that cross not just county lines, but continents.

“They might not speak the same language as you, but you all speak the language of dance,” Rich said.

The ABT summer intensive performance will take place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. July 20 at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway in downtown Detroit. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children under 15, and may be purchased at the door. For more information, visit www.motopera.org or call (313) 237-SING.

You can reach K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1047.