The Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company expects to dazzle audience members at its upcoming performance “Necessary Dance” at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts.

The three-act show will feature part of “Le Corsaire,” a nearly 200-year-old pirate-themed ballet with Russian origins.

“I wanted the kids to try to do something on a little bit of a higher level,” said ballet master Annamia Anderson Rumley. “When they first saw the video [of the performance], they were kinda a little taken aback and weren’t sure, but I’ve seen them dance better than some of the professionals I’ve seen.”

The company will specifically perform part of the third act, “Le Jardin Anime,” where a man falls asleep and dreams of the women in his harem as dancing flowers.

The company consists of 26 dancers, some of who have done preprofessional work at Joffrey Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance.

“Necessary Dance” also includes a performance of “Storm,” a modern piece and a modern jazz act set to Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Rumley, Deena Bryan and Rhea O’Toole Kupisz choreographed the performances.

Rumley’s mother, Helene Knierim, serves as the director of the company and the Tecumseh Dance Workshop, which teaches dance in a more relaxed setting than the company.

Rumley began dancing later than most at age 14, but found she was “very adept” at it. She attended the University of Michigan and studied under Peter Starling, Martha Graham’s protégé.

The Tecumseh Center for the Arts hosts the company’s annual performance every year in addition to a performance by the workshop in May.

“It’s always a treat to have them dance here,” said Rebecca Peach, sales and marketing director, adding that every spot in the 572-seat theater will provide a great view of the show.

“[The company] has worked with the Center for the Arts for quite a while, and they always put on a nice production,” said Shelley Lim, cultural and leisure director.

The center prides itself on giving local acts like the company a great place to perform. “A smaller theater, especially in our community, is able to offer our homegrown season to the public, which consists of local performers — our friends and neighbors right here in the community — in addition to the national tours,” Lim said.

“It’s a wonderful place to perform. We’ve worked with them ever since they opened the doors. It’s just been a fantastic performance opportunity,” Rumley said of the center, which was established in 1981.

The performance is Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10. The center is at 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh. Call (517) 423-6617 for more information.

Tags: Hubbard Street Dance, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, Tecumseh Center for the Arts, Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company, the American Ballet Theatre

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 12:08 pm and is filed under Dance, Star.
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