BY ANDREA OLIVIO
Staff Writer
New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble dancer Samantha Brewer performs in Fabrice Lamego’s “L’Envol,” one of several works to be presented Saturday at East Brunswick High School. EAST BRUNSWICK — The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble will present “Repertory Works” Saturday at East Brunswick High School, Cranbury Road.
The dance group’s annual spring performance, sponsored in conjunction with the East Brunswick Education Foundation, includes 10 ballet segments by 10 different choreographers.
The showcase piece, David Parsons’ “The Envelope,” marks the first time that a youth ballet group has been permitted to do the performance.
The group of preprofessional dancers, ages 10 to 21, had to seek special permission from David Parsons himself.
“The Envelope” is “a farcical and hysterical romp where the dancers are pitted against a renegade piece of stationery,” according to a statement from the dance company.
“We feel honored to be able to perform it,” ensemble Business Director Karin Engel said.
The group performed the show a few weeks ago at Kean University in Union, which Engel described as a huge success.
In the showcased piece, seven dancers keep trying to get rid of an envelope and it comes back, from above, from side stage, over and over again. It encompasses ballet technique with a comedic aspect.
“The audience laughed, and that’s really important,” Engel said. “We felt that the audience really did love it.”
The ensemble, which includes about 50 dancers, practices up to 10 hours a week year-round and puts on about 20 performances altogether. In this show, 30 of the dancers from the ensemble will be featured.
The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble offers training in modern and classical ballet to students who show exceptional promise. Engel noted that the students are trained by faculty and choreographers from major New York companies, offering high caliber instruction.
The group practices technique at Drew University, Madison, as well as having a summer intensive program. They have been rehearsing for this performance since February.
“Repertory Works” will also include works by choreographers Robert Battle, Robert Garland, Fabrice Lamego, Francisco Martinez and the ensemble’s artistic director, Nancy Turano.
For tickets to the 3 p.m. performance Saturday, call the East Brunswick Education Foundation at (732) 254-3233. Tickets are $16 for adults; $13 for children and seniors. There is a special rate of $11 per person for groups of 20 or more.