The Walmart Ballet 2005

The Walmart Ballet 2005. July 30, 2005The Walmart parking lot, Plattsburgh, NY Relate Press: Putting the Art in Wal-Mart by Cathy Resmer Seven Days – July 30, 2005 Dancin' in the Streets Seven Days - July 27, 2005 The now legendary dance installation returns.  Famed ballet choreographer Julia K. Gleich (London, UK), noted for her unique blend of classical and modern forms, collaborates with the creative team of Norte Maar to present ballet in a contemporary setting. Adapted scenes and classical choreography from the 18th-century ballet Coppelia will be the theme of this year’s installation. Fully costumed and sophisticatedly presented, watch the performance while you shop!The project will organize and rehearse a corps de ballet (twelve ballet dancers) to perform a series of vignettes based on scenes from the classical ballet Coppelia. Dancers will be positioned in four group at four locations within the Wal-Mart Store.  Each group will perform in the designated area only.  The ballet will be performed four times, each performance lasting 8 minutes and will consist of a cast of characters from the ballet, includng dolls, peasants, and friends. Dancers will be recruited from many area schools to perform together. Music will be played over the intercom. COSTUMES: Dancers will appear wearing traditional and authentic classical attire. THE AUDIENCE: When the dance begins, shoppers and visitors to Wal-Mart will suddenly become an unexpected audience.  They will experience dancers transforming a space.  Many will be seeing a ballet for the first time. THE PURPOSE: To make dance more accessible to residences of the North Country. The availability and opportunity to see dance is limited.  This project brings together dancers from the community for one common goal: to bring dance to the many who appreciate the arts and offer the opportunity to see a ballet to the many who have not.  This project also stretches the imagination of where and when dance can and should take place.