Dancing for fame. (teen passions).Cute sandals and nicely painted toes are an essential part of any girl's summer wardrobe. But for Perris McCracken, a dancer at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), wearing sandals is never an option. "My feet are ugly," laughs Perris, whose feet are often bandaged and plagued with blisters. her feet take a beating while training six days a week--four hours after school and another seven on Saturdays--in ballet, pointe pointe n. In ballet, dancing that is performed on the tips of the toes. [From French pointe (des pieds), point (of the feet), tiptoe; see point.] , modern, African dance The term African dance refers mainly to the dances of subsaharan and West Africa. The music and dances of northern Africa and the Sahara are generally more closely connected to those of the Near East. Also the dances of immigrants of European and Asian descent (e.g. , tap, and jazz. But when you're committed, dedicated, and determined to become a professional dancer, that's all part of the job," I had a passion for [dance] before I started training. If I heard music, my body was moving to it," says the 16-year-old Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. native who got her start with Universal Dance Design. And while she enjoys the various disciplines, Perris loves the freedom of modern dance because she can "take on a character and express myself." Having a taxing dance schedule, in addition to being an honor student at St. Monica High School, doesn't allow much free time to hang out. But it does give her an edge in the classroom and in life. "I'm more confident. Dance has opened up my perspective. I approach things differently, I'm more calm, and I don't shout like people typically do during confrontations," she says. On weeknights, while her girlfriends are sleeping, Perris is usually up until 1 a.m. doing homework. When she does get a minute to exhale exhale /ex·hale/ (eks´hal) to breathe out. ex·hale v. 1. To breathe out. 2. To emit a gas, vapor, or odor. , Perris catches up on some much-needed sleep. It's a good thing that she is used to having a hectic schedule because it'll get more intense after she graduated next year. When most dancers are auditioning for a company such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a modern dance company based in New York, New York. It was founded in 1958 by choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey. It is made up of 30 dancers as well as artistic director Judith Jamison and associate artistic director Masazumi Chaya. , Perris plans to pull double duty in college, studying child psychology or becoming an FBI agent, and dancing for a professional troupe. She wouldn't mind kicking up her heels for the American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre, one of the foremost international dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded in 1937 as the Mordkin Ballet and reorganized as the Ballet Theatre in 1940 under the direction of Lucia Chase and Rich Pleasant. or Bob Fosse's Broadway talent. And after nine years of training, this ambitious teen knows that her path to success won't be easy. But she's ready for the hard work ahead. She's been preparing for it since she rocked her first pair of tights. GET MOVING Think you're smooth enough for a lead role in Missy Elliott's next video? Stephen Smith, dance instructor and dean of students at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Culver City, California Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 38,816. The community is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles but also has a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. , can whip you into shape. "I can make anybody dance," asserts Smith. "It isn't about how high you kick or if you can do nine pirouettes." He says the true measure of a dancer is in a student's concentration, spirit, and focus. JOIN A CLASS. Start dancing with a school dance troupe or an academy such as DADA. Prices at Allen's school range from $120 to 500. For more information, call 310 280-9145 or visit www.Go DebbieAllen.com. dada home. The Dance Theatre of Harlem Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first black classical ballet company. The group was founded in Harlem, New York City, by Arthur Mitchell, then of the New York City Ballet, the first black principal dancer of a classical company of international standing. in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. also offers Classes in ballet, gymnastics, tap, and Tai-chi. Call 212-690-2800 for more information or visit www.dance theatreof-harlem.com. |
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