Ballet Theatre in tribute, in fine form

Season closes with homage to teacher, choreographer

review

Serving as narrator, Cuatto spoke of historical high points that began with Clark's study of the Denishawn system, reciting St. Denis' creed, "We are free of time and space," including the line, "We use our translucent bodies in a new language to express the glory of our love."

That freedom became a thread that ran through the piece. Dressed in a lovely soft pink costume, Grace (Kathryn Carlson) often danced with her mirrored reflection (Alexis Decker) to create a compelling portrait of the sensitive young dance teacher.

Captured in dance was Grace's meeting on a blind date her future husband Ellery Harding Clark, who brought her to Annapolis when he accepted a teaching post at the Naval Academy. The couple renewed their wedding vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. Both events were romantically captured in dance, with Bryan Skates vigorously dancing the Ellery role.

Ballet classes were remembered along with the Stanton Community Center, where Clark gave lessons to black children during segregation before welcoming them into her own Annapolis Civic Ballet studio.

After a touching Dance of Death that used yards of what appeared to be parachute silk, the ballet ended with Reflections from Beyond, which provided an uplifting message of an unencumbered spirit dancing freely.

At intermission I met one of Grace Clark's former students, who'd been invited to attend the performance. A choked-up Susan Hedges later said that she'd studied with Clark in the early 1980s and completed two grades with her, an experience that inspired her to later teach some dance classes. Although she no longer dances, she continues to value the experience of studying with Clark.

Hedges is part of the Clark legacy, now enhanced through this appropriate dance tribute.