Dance troupe to present annual concert

The Indiana Dance Theater will perform "Holiday Magic: A dance concert for the whole family" at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and free for children under five. \nThis will be the fourth holiday performance the group has put on at the Buskirk-Chumley. \nPart ballet and part jazz, the show is exclusive to the Indiana Dance Theater. The first act is titled "A Season of Angels," focusing on the Virgin Mary's journey to Bethlehem. Mary is accompanied by angels and shares her fears and hopes on stage. Diane Buzzell, artistic director and founder of the Indiana Dance Theater, said her inspiration for this dance number came from the Amy Grant song. \nThe musical element utilizes all Amy Grant songs, especially "Breath of Heaven." \n"It is a piece about motherhood," Buzzell said. "It is focused on Mary, a women's piece about being afraid of having children and being a mother."\nThe second act, "Somethin' for Christmas," offers a lighter plot. This act contains classic holiday music from Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams that supplements the jazz ballet moves of the company. The story focuses on three young misfits that are constantly getting into trouble during the holidays. \nThe dance group recently performed part of the second act for the students of Unionville Elementary School.\n"They really enjoyed it, were very receptive, and laughed at all the funny parts," said Julie Franklin-Finn, dancer and president of the Indiana Dance Theater. \nThe entire performance lasts only one hour, which Buzzell said suits the intended audience. \n"It is a perfect length for kids," Buzzell said. "I made it only an hour long so parents would leave feeling good having not had to reprimand their children because they got restless." \nThe Indiana Dance Theater began four years ago. The nonprofit organization gives performing opportunities to local dancers, both students and former professionals, according to the Buskirk- Chumley Web site, www.buskirkchumley.org. \n"It's really Diane's brainchild," said Tina Colvin, member of the board of directors for the Indiana Dance Theater. "She thought there was a need for a non-university dance company that was a little more formal." \n"There aren't a lot of venues out there for women my age to perform," said Franklin-Finn. "It is a creative outlet for me."\nThe Indiana Dance Theater has 14 dancers and about 50 percent are students from Indiana University. The dance group performs three shows a year in addition to community mini-performances. Rehearsals are held three days a week, and dancers are paid a percentage of the profits made by the company. \n"I want the Indiana Dance Theater to become Bloomington's company, not mine," Buzzell said of her future hopes for the company. \n-- Contact staff writer Jessica Dalsing at jdalsing@indiana.edu.