BWW Reviews: ME Dance's SERENITY Finds Itself in Moments of Clarity

ME Dance was founded in 2011, so if you've never heard of this dance group it is definitely time to check them out. ME Dance is a professional dance company with dancers whose day jobs are at many of our local theme parks. Beginning tonight and running through this weekend ME Dance's 10th production takes the stage with a mix of dance styles and some cool projection technology. If you're feeling like you're in a slump or need to become grounded, see this production. With a relatively new and gorgeous performance space, ME Dance's SERENITY is a hidden gem in Orlando's dance scene.

According to Artistic Director Marshall Ellis, the idea of SERENITY came from those moments of peace in a life full of attention grabbing distractions. Although there is not a tight plot per se, the pieces come together concert style to tell the story of different human emotions. (Check out my interview with Marshall). SERENITY blends those emotions with a mix of contemporary, modern, and lyrical dance.

My favorite piece occurs at the very beginning, titled "Breath." It's a fast paced technical piece that focuses on breathing. Focusing on breath is the first way to ground yourself and find serenity. So simple in nature, yet easily put back of mind. In some parts of the dance breathing is fast and in others it is paced very intentionally. This is also the first instance where we can see ME Theater's awesome lighting. With the fog in full effect, the lighting becomes even more dramatic, shooting beams of light towards the audience and silhouettes the dancers. "Breath" set the stage and the bar for the rest of the concert style performance. Sadly it is the only full company piece, but with a company of more than 12 it can certainly get crowded onstage.

"Focus" is my second favorite piece in the show. This piece features three dancers and a very interesting projection on the background. "Focus" exposes the crazy amount of media in our daily lives vying for our attention. You start to wonder how is it possible for anyone to get anything done with all those distractions. In order to focus, we have to actively seek it out and shut out all the distractions. When the ladies begin dancing, the projection in the background becomes second hand to the dancing and works to enhance the message. The choreography in "Focus" is unmatched in musicality. The dancers have quick footwork and beautiful lines that contrast the chaos of the background. Nicole Lyons is a standout performer who has a solo midway through the piece. It's simply stunning.

The pre-professional dancers, adorably called ME2, are between the ages of 15-19. Three young ladies from the ME2 company appear in two pieces of SERENITY. "Find Your Place" lightens the mood after "Breath." The number is light and pretty. It's clear that the girl's dance technique is at the forefront of the choreography. ME2 also performs after intermission in a piece called "See You Again," set to the pop song by Wiz Khalifa. This piece mixes three different dance styles - ballet, hip hop, and lyrical. Again, this breaks up the seriousness of SERENITY.

"Bliss" turns up the tempo and the fun. It centers around two sailors on shore leave who encounter two ladies and dance the night away. There are some spectacular pas de deux and some fancy footwork between the pairs. This light hearted dance shows the fun side of life and the dancer's personalities. Bliss is one of those emotions that is so hard to come by, but when it happens it is truly living.

Just after intermission, there is a guest performance from Miami-based 6 O'Clock Dance Theatre. This piece fits well into SERENITY's emotional theme. This collaboration enriches the performance as a whole.

The final piece is "Determination", guest choreographed by ME Dance's tap teacher Daniel Hunalp. The on-screen projection is a tap routine set to music from the Zac Brown Band. I wish that the tap performance was done live, but it was still cool to watch the screen with a closeup on the tapper's feet. It seems disjointed, but the other main company dancers appear at various times throughout this piece performing lyrical choreography. "Determination" uses the projections to its advantage to visually reinforce its message of never giving up in the face of adversity.

The ME Theater is a nice sized space in an inconspicuous building off of OBT. Black box style, the theater has no side wings, but its design does not deter from anything that would normally occur in the wings. In fact, the stage is a nice wide space that allows the dancers to move freely. Each piece in SERENITY uses the space to its advantage. The theater is also equipped with high tech lighting, projection and fog effects. Each of the video projections is very intentional and built to enhance the dance pieces.

You can catch SERENITY on October 16, 17, or 18 at 8:30pm. Tickets are $20 online or at the door. ME Dance Theater is a little challenging to find, so use your GPS to find 1300 La Quinta Drive. Orlando FL 32809. For tickets and more information visit http://medance.org/.

Photo Credits: Kimberly Moy

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