Medfield Dancer to Perform in FSPA's 'Beyond the Boundaries'

Medfield’s Melissa Chapski will perform in Beyond the Boundaries, a production of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Dance Department, on Sunday, March 25, at 4 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak St., in Franklin. 

Beyond the Boundaries is the school's second annual classical repertoire program, designed to expand students’ knowledge of the classics and to explore contemporary ballet and choreography. Chapski has trained extensively in ballet at FSPA since 2007.

The production features more than 40 dancers from FSPA’s Ballet Conservatory Division. Ranging in age from 7-17, students have the opportunity to explore different facets of their technique in preparation for the versatile demands of this diverse program.

"To expand the classical ballet experience for our audience and dancers, we have incorporated a modern piece by Lorry May and pushed the boundaries of our classical repertoire program," said FSPA Ballet Mistress Cheryl Madeux. "We felt it was important to show the connection between classical dance technique and other disciplines, and to illustrate the relevance of being a versatile dancer as well." 

Beyond the Boundaries begins with Madeux’s restaging of the third act of Coppelia, the wedding celebration. Chapski will dance the role of Prayer Soloist in this segment of the program. With a sentimental and lively score by Leo Delibes, the 19th-century classic comic ballet dramatizes a tale of mistaken identity, featuring a life-size doll and her confused village swain.

"There are many wonderful variations which feature our highest level of dancers, along with corp dancing which challenges and showcases all the ages and levels of our ballet program," said Madeux. "Having danced with such venerable companies as the Joffrey Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, Madeux’s extensive classical repertoire includes the principal role of Swanhilda in Coppelia with the Hartford Ballet Company. FSPA faculty member Marina van Winkle choreographed and rehearsed Coppelia’s Chardash.

Lorry May’s Three Pieces of Glass is a modern choreography featuring dancers from all three levels of FSPA’s modern dance program. The piece is set to the music of Phillip Glass. A member of the FSPA dance faculty since 2008, May has danced world-wide as a soloist with Anna Sokolow for more than three decades and has received critical acclaim as an off-Broadway actress.

The evening closes with the fun, high energy Star Spangled Ballet. Inspired by George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes and choreographed by Cheryl Madeux, the new ballet is based on a humorous patriotic theme. The exhuberant and accessible piece is set to the music of John Sousa and features a corp of ballet dancers representing a regiment in training. The army of ballet dancers includes a Captain, new recruits, officers, cadets and the littlest ballerinas known as Cadets in Training. Chapski dances as an officer in this ballet.

The Ballet Conservatory Division at FSPA provides instruction in classical ballet technique, pre-pointe, pointe, modern and character dance. The curriculum is based on the foundations of the Vaganova syllabus and incorporates the new ABT National Training curriculum.

Costumes for Beyond the Boundaries have been provided by the Nutmeg Ballet Company, Connecticut Dance Theater and Clyde Nantais. Tickets for Beyond the Boundaries cost $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $10 for children 6 and under. Tickets are available in advance at The Spotlight Shop, 34 Main St., Franklin, or by phone at (508) 528-8668, or may be purchased at the door. For more information, visit www.FSPAonline.com.