International Festival 2008 at St. Margaret's School

Theme written by Chelle DeGrasse who also choreographed and staged the first part along with Colette who choreographed and staged the second part.

Synopsis of the Dances:

Despite the efforts of an old-school ballet mistress to conduct a formal ballet class, her unruly students decide to take advantage of her absence and break with tradition.

Long Synopsis

Our show opens in old Russsia with ballet students of a typically classical studio preparing for a master class. Although the Russian ballet schools are noted for their rigid nature, it can't change the fact that girls will be girls. One student in particular demonstrates her mischievous nature by sprinkling water in the face of another as she stretches on the floor.

Before the other can retaliate, Madame enters the studio and sends the girls to the barre for inspection.
With all the demeanor of a drill instructor, Madame scrutinized each girl, chastising anyone who is unprepared. One girl has forgotten to remove her leg warmer. Another has her hair in her face. A third has her shoe ribbons hanging out. As Madame bends down to address the shoe issue, a late-comer runs headlong into the bent-over instructor and knocks her flat.

Students scramble to help Madame to her feet, The late-comer seizes an opportunity to make faces at Madame while her back is turned. The class can't conceal their amusement.

Madame tersely calls the class to order. The barre begins, dancers stoic and controlled while Madame examines their technique. As the tempo gradually builds, the steps become faster and more intricate. Half way into the class, Madame leaves the studio for some water. In her absence, the dancers continue across the floor as the music becomes faster and faster. The class begins to lose control as they dance faster still and with more abandon.

Madame reenters to see her students run amok. She scolds them all, chases them out and exits in utter exasperation.

When the students return and realize Madame has gone, they doff their ballet attire for a jazz costume and all join in for the fun.


The Class Note if you have QuickTime the quality is far superior to Windows WMV
Theme written by Chelle DeGrasse who also choreographed and staged the first part along with Colette who choreographed and staged the second part. Synopsis of the Dances: Despite the efforts of an old-school ballet mistress to conduct a formal ballet class, her unruly students decide to take advantage of her absence and break with tradition. Long Synopsis Our show opens in old Russsia with ballet students of a typically classical studio preparing for a master class. Although the Russian ballet schools are noted for their rigid nature, it can't change the fact that girls will be girls. One student in particular demonstrates her mischievous nature by sprinkling water in the face of another as she stretches on the floor. Before the other can retaliate, Madame enters the studio and sends the girls to the barre for inspection. With all the demeanor of a drill instructor, Madame scrutinized each girl, chastising anyone who is unprepared. One girl has forgotten to remove her leg warmer. Another has her hair in her face. A third has her shoe ribbons hanging out. As Madame bends down to address the shoe issue, a late-comer runs headlong into the bent-over instructor and knocks her flat. Students scramble to help Madame to her feet, The late-comer seizes an opportunity to make faces at Madame while her back is turned. The class can't conceal their amusement. Madame tersely calls the class to order. The barre begins, dancers stoic and controlled while Madame examines their technique. As the tempo gradually builds, the steps become faster and more intricate. Half way into the class, Madame leaves the studio for some water. In her absence, the dancers continue across the floor as the music becomes faster and faster. The class begins to lose control as they dance faster still and with more abandon. Madame reenters to see her students run amok. She scolds them all, chases them out and exits in utter exasperation. When the students return and realize Madame has gone, they doff their ballet attire for a jazz costume and all join in for the fun.		Dance Part 1 [45 MB] Windows Media WMV ~ QuickTime MOV
		The first music was a Russian folk tune from an album called Moiseyev.
		Dance Part 2 [40 MB] Windows Media WMV ~ QuickTime MOV
		The name of the jazz piece is "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson

The girls who participated were: Hannah Newman Abby oDell Mary Alice Thompson Veronica Kimmerly Nicole Brugel Corey Pulvirenti Elle Finney Annie Badenock Brianna Oh Lihn Tran Eden Conner Tess Potter