One thing resonates deeply after experiencing a performance of Dance Nation at Silver Spring Stage: the intensity of competitive dance leaves an indelible mark. Clare Barron’s insightful play, expertly directed by Lee Blaser and brought to life by producers Liz Butterworth and Jim Robertson, doesn’t just satirize the demanding world of competitive dance; it profoundly explores the intricate, often turbulent, yet ultimately empowering journey from childhood to womanhood, particularly for young girls. As a former competitive dancer myself, Dance Nation immediately transported me back to a formative era of my life, sparking a wave of nostalgia while I was thoroughly entertained by this unique and compelling theatrical piece.
Set in contemporary times, Dance Nation immerses us in the lives of a competitive dance team of young girls – and a single, symbolic boy, a detail that perfectly captures the nuances of this world. We witness their rigorous preparations and performances in various dance competitions. The play centers around their “acro-lyrical” routine, a piece about Gandhi, conceived by their passionate and demanding leader, “Dance Teacher Pat.” Portrayed with both comedic brilliance and unsettling accuracy by Anderson Wells, Pat embodies the dance teachers many of us remember – individuals who approach their craft with utmost seriousness, expecting nothing less than complete dedication from their young students. The production’s commitment to authenticity is striking, evident in both broad strokes, like the quintessential overbearing dance mom stereotype, and in finer details, such as the team’s matching satin jackets and the relatable pre-class and backstage rituals of teenage dancers. The adult cast convincingly embodies the essence of 13-year-olds, capturing everything from their casual physical interactions while waiting for class to their awkward, budding conversations about love, sex, and friendship.
Dance Nation cast photo
Image: The cast of Dance Nation, including Boneza Valdez Hanchock, Tristin Evans, Sia Li Wright, Allison Turkel, Carlotta Capuano, Leena Dev, and Brandon Rothenberg, performing on stage at Silver Spring Stage. This image captures the energy and youthful spirit of the dance ensemble.
The core of Dance Nation unfolds in the moments surrounding dance class and competitions, revealing playwright Barron’s central message. Interspersed within scenes are powerful monologues delivered by various cast members, offering raw, sometimes unsettling glimpses into their private thoughts, insecurities, and vulnerabilities. Boneza Valdez Hanchock delivers a standout performance as Ashlee, portraying a character grappling with the duality of her perceived beauty and intellect, ultimately choosing to embrace her attractiveness and the power she believes it holds. Sia Li Wright portrays Zuzu with grace and depth, capturing her struggle with self-doubt and her yearning to evoke emotion in her audience through dance.
The narrative tension in Dance Nation is skillfully built around the dynamic between Zuzu and her teammate Amina, portrayed by Carlotta Capuano. Amina embodies the archetypal competitive dancer familiar to anyone within the dance community – confident, subtly modest, and possessing both the talent and relentless drive to command the spotlight and achieve victory. While the play initially hints at the team’s quest to reach the national competition in Tampa Bay, the true heart of the story lies in the intricate relationships between the girls and their evolving relationships with themselves.
Tristin Evans delivers a compelling performance as Sofia, another dancer navigating the complexities of adolescence. Sofia’s storyline poignantly addresses the awkwardness and eventual empowerment associated with puberty, specifically her first period. A particularly impactful scene involves Sofia’s initial aversion to and subsequent fascination with her menstruation, encouraged by her mother’s suggestion to confront and understand her changing body. Reflecting the play’s themes of female empowerment and body positivity, audience members were offered kits from “The Growing Girls Project,” an initiative stemming from Dr. Ann Herbert’s PhD dissertation at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. These kits, designed for individuals aged 8 to 16, include resources like activity books and self-exploration mirrors, aiming to equip young girls with the tools to understand, appreciate, and respect their bodies throughout puberty.
Numerous elements contribute to the raw and intimate atmosphere of Dance Nation. Michelle Norris and Tristin Evans’ choreography effectively captures the essence of competitive dance, while Jeffrey Asjes’ minimalist yet immersive set design, coupled with Jordan Hersh’s nuanced lighting, seamlessly transports the audience from a dance studio to the intimate setting of “riding in mom’s car in the rain.” McKenna Kelly’s costume, prop, makeup, and hair designs are so authentic, they evoke a sense of raiding a familiar dance studio’s costume closet.
Dance Nation masterfully blends laugh-out-loud satire, relatable to anyone acquainted with dance studios, with profoundly intimate and sometimes cringeworthy moments depicting puberty – masturbation, self-harm, and first menstruation are all explored with unflinching honesty. The play intentionally elicits discomfort through these vignettes of adolescence, prompting reflection on how societal norms shape our understanding of bodies and compassion. Dance Nation ultimately suggests that embracing bodily understanding and compassion, rather than shame and secrecy, could unlock a future of female empowerment and liberation.
Running at one hour and 40 minutes without intermission, Dance Nation at Silver Spring Stage offers a compelling theatrical experience.
Dance Nation is playing until March 24, 2024, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, at Silver Spring Stage, located at 10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD. Tickets, priced between $23.25 and $26.25 (including fees), can be purchased at the door or online. For further details, please call (301) 593-6036, visit the website, or email [email protected].
Please be advised that this production contains mature themes, including sexual content, strong language, partial nudity, depictions of masturbation and abuse, themes of racism and stereotyping in dance, suicide, and self-harm.
COVID Safety: Masks are recommended but not mandatory.
Dance Nation by Clare Barron, Directed by Lee Blaser.
CAST
Amina – Carlotta Capuano
Zuzu – Sia Li Wright
Ashlee – Boneza Valdez Hanchock
Connie – Leena Dev
Sofia – Tristin Evans
Maeve – Allison Turkel
Luke – Brandon Rothenberg
Dance Teacher Pat – Anderson Wells
The Moms/Vanessa – Jordan Coscia
The Moms/Vanessa – Rachel Manteuffel
Understudies/Swings: Trenor Gould (Dance Teacher Pat, Luke), Nadine Pineda (Zuzu, Ashlee, Sofia)
Fight/Intimacy Direction: Julia Rabson Harris; Composition: Kristin Cotts; Stage Management: David Gorsline; Carpentry: Douglas Becker, Steve Leshin, and Steven Malone; Sound Design: Jeff Goldgeier.
