Dates and Times: Fri., Feb. 5 at 8 pm; Sat., Feb. 6 at 2 and 8 pm; Sun., Feb. 7 at 5 pm. Glendale Community College Theatre, 1500 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale. For more information visit www.bethunetheatredanse.org or call 323.874.0481. To purchase tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com or 800.838.3006.
Zina Bethune
Actress/Choreographer Zina Bethune shares her thoughts about her experiences as the founder of Bethune Theatredanse, one of the earliest multimedia dance theatre companies, and its education outreach program, Infinite Dreams, a dance and drama program for disabled children.
I guess it’s called “thinking outside the box” these days when your ideas reach beyond traditional boundaries and explore brand new territories. When originality goes so far as to initially provoke labels such as “outrageous” or “overzealous,” it can be a little daunting. It can happen, though, when the inventions of your mind go public for the first time.
I was reflecting on that recently as my performance company, Bethune Theatredanse, was completing another day of rehearsal for the upcoming production of Silent Roar, one of our signature multimedia stage productions that will launch the celebration of our 30th anniversary. It will mark the creation of a dance theatre company that incorporates in its productions multimedia elements such as film, animation, holographics, video and various special effects, while also blending the disciplined technique of classical ballet with the dynamic and freer style movements of modern dance.
I had no idea how the use of multimedia with a dance production would be received. As it turned out, many dance critics were hard on us, no doubt jolted by what they perceived as an intrusion on the traditional presentation of the art form. The theatre world paid attention, however, and rave reviews appeared in those critics’ columns. The audience? Fortunately for us, they loved it, knowing they had witnessed a new high concept of entertainment as the characters and stories came alive through combinations of dance styles and media effects, propelling the productions into a new and exciting theatrical event. As technology has advanced and as more companies are presenting enthusiastically received multimedia performances, I am proud of being one of the first to conceive and bring this unusual approach to the stage.
I think my dual career as a dancer and an actress enabled me to see the possibilities of blending acting, dance and other media. Why not take advantage of the best tools available to tell your story? It is especially useful in the stories we bring to the stage - stories derived from literature, film, television, screenplays and works of art. Silent Roar depicts the underwater world of oceans and its inhabitants. Our recent production of Ray Bradbury’s Frost and Fire was set in a far-off planet where the lifespan was only eight days.
The tricky part of using special effects is finding a balance. You don’t want to overshadow the dance, yet you’re incorporating special effects within it so they become part of the story. Careful construction is needed in order to blend all the elements so they make sense and also enhance each scene.
Silent Roar
As multimedia dance presentations continued to emerge as a popular and ongoing part of the theatrical landscape, I moved ahead in 1982 with another long-held dream, which was the creation of Infinite Dreams, a participatory dance and drama program for disabled children. This outreach component made Bethune Theatredanse the first professional dance company in America to have such a program. Today Infinite Dreams serves nearly 1,000 students each year at 10 Southern California locations. We have “graduated” over 7,000 students since inception, some of whom have appeared in various Bethune Theatredanse productions throughout the world.
I danced before I could walk but as my young dance career progressed into my early teens at NYC Ballet, I encountered a series of medical problems including dysplastic hips, scoliosis and lymph edema. I never thought of myself as disabled; I just thought I had a lot of difficulties to deal with. Despite multiple surgeries, I have been able to continue my dance and acting career in film, television and theatre.
At the age of 16, I began feeling compelled to teach disabled children to dance. That was the beginning of my “infinite dream.” I knew my physical problems formed a connection between me and children with challenges. We have a special kinship. Dance is not therapy; it’s art. I believe dance is spiritual and these children’s spirits are not disabled.
Silent Roar
Infinite Dreams classes emphasize participation, not perfection. We try to make it clear our students’ individual version of any step is valid. That’s their “dance.” The challenge has always been to let children’s creativity and musicality take them where they’ve never been, and we watch as they let it move them in whatever ways they can move. And that’s when they soar!
While we continue to expand Bethune Theatredanse multimedia stage productions, and Infinite Dreams continues its outreach to even more disabled youngsters, I have been taking steps towards my new dream. It is the creation of a very special arts center that encompasses Bethune Theatredanse, Infinite Dreams and much more — a place where we can produce our own productions and accommodate every challenge. Yes, that signals the need for many partners and a lot of funding. But I’ve been fortunate enough to learn by experience that the old cliché is true - ANYTHING is possible!
Bethune Theatredanse celebrates its 30th anniversary with a multimedia dance theatre production of Silent Roar. Inspired by and utilizing the artwork of environmental artist Wyland, Silent Roar chronicles the plight of a migrating young grey whale separated from his family and the ensuing friendship he forms with a disabled boy on the Southern California coastline. Diverse art forms of aerial performers, break dance, ballet, actors and special effects are incorporated into this magical production.
Feature image of dancers in Silent Roar
