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The racing pulses and tense nerves that come with live performances were hidden Friday night behind the calm faces and graceful movements of some of Chico State's finest dancers. The variety that danced across the stage in the Harlen Adams Theatre this weekend showcased a broad spectrum of music and dance styles that celebrated diversity in America.
A company of 42 dancers, 13 choreographers, dozens of costume and scenery designers, and a team of eight lighting and sound technicians worked together to create "Americana!," Chico Dance Theatre's 11th annual fall production.
The array of dances featured ballets, an interpretation of a Coney Island freak show, tribal dance and a red-and-blue kick line.
"There's something for everyone," said Ashley Monroe, a Chico State alumna and guest choreographer who directed "Agility," a slow dance in which seven flexible women did graceful aerobics with hula hoops and large inflated pilates balls.
The dancers put in more than 150 hours of rehearsal and training to develop these routines and their dance skills.
Beyond the hours of rehearsal spent coaching the dancers, the choreographers spent several more imagining possibilities for the pieces.
For every two hours Monroe spent in rehearsal, she spent six to eight more developing the piece on her own, she said. In the end, it was worth the investment.
"It's the most rewarding thing to see your piece performed on stage because you get to see your imagination played out in front of you," Monroe said.
The reward is also shared with the dancers, as the countless hours of practice pay off in a solid performance.
As one of only three men in the dance company, first-year student Josh Carter had to work hard to be confident with his abilities on stage. He began this year with little dance experience.
"It's intimidating being out-danced by almost everyone in the room," he said.
After investing his time and efforts, Carter said he feels like he belongs with the group and is not simply there because they needed a man for a routine. If any of his friends give him a hard time, he tells them to do the math and think about how many women he gets to hang out with. Carter's friends sometimes become jealous, he said.
Katie Brown also joined the company with little dance experience. She was scared to perform for an audience, but it felt natural after all the rehearsal, she said.
"Your body remembers the dance even if your mind doesn't," Brown said.
The dancers had to remember not only the elements of their routines, but also the transitions of scenery and costume between them. Staff helped in organizing the fast-paced activity backstage.
"It's like organized chaos," said fifth-year student Jennifer Fricano, who choreographed a piece called "Fancy Dancers" and danced in two numbers. "But, everyone knows exactly what to do."
After a dance titled "Dedication," three costume assistants were needed to help the main dancer, Kate Reeves, rapidly change out of a full skirt and drape into a circus outfit for the next dance.
The colorful and expressive costumes in every piece contributed to the theme of the dance. With simple, form-fitting tank tops and leggings, and decorative and ornate outfits, the costumes added life to every performance.
The process of developing more than 100 outfits is no small task, and it has gotten harder every year, said Rachel Rodd, a dancer, choreographer, and publicity and outreach coordinator for Chico Dance Theatre.
The department of theatre arts cut the budget for the production this year, and it will be cut again next year. The costume designers were forced to be very resourceful, and dancers pulled from their own wardrobes for some numbers, Rodd said.
A lack of funding made no difference to proud parents who enjoyed the fruits of their children's work.
Wendy Tempest, who also used to dance, had a daughter in the show. Watching her daughter perform was a difficult balance between acting as a coach and a parent, she said.
"I know what to do to make it better, but then I think, 'She's doing great. Just let her go,'" Tempest said.
And so they danced. The entire Chico Dance Theatre company leapt, floated and twirled across the stage. When the curtain closed, hundreds of smiling fans applauded in approval.
Kari Nelson can be reached at knelson@theorion.com
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