Dance recital entertains with a message
This weekend the nation’s capital will be the scene of some entertainment not often experienced in this newly digitized age. With over a hundred performers a packed house–consisting primarily of family members–is guaranteed. But this production is no mere vanity affair…as News 5’s Patrick Jones found out.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The students of Dramatic Force Dance Studio will use their poise, grace, and stamina to bring spiritual issues to life on stage. Bethany Yeager is one of the instructors.
Bethany Yeager, Ballet Instructor
“The big deal about their dances is that they are glorifying God and not just normal people you know. And that?s a big deal because usually people dance for themselves, but these kids are learning from a young age how to experience dancing for something higher than what normal people do.”
But dancing is not the only thing these young people will bring to the stage this weekend. According to Managing Director Joe Yeager, the audience will be treated to some life changing testimonies during the second segment called “Choices.”
Joe Yeager, Director, Dramatic Force Dance Group
“The overall message of this particular performance is that God is there. And he is there to help you is you will ask him to help. ?Choices? is very specific about that. It takes life issues, and you have a choice. You choose either to do this or not to do this. And in the case of where God is, he is willing to help you, but have to choose to allow him to help.”
But the choice of using their talents to entertain and minister to their peers through dance and drama is not without challenges for the young people. And as they tippy-toe around the studio, Yeager says it’s a unique time to teach important spiritual life skills.
Bethany Yeager, Ballet Instructor
“Actually as children, they don?t have a hard time believing in God and stuff. It?s when you get older, when it?s really harder to understand, but they are like so open to it. They are like sure, yeah, Jesus loves me kind of thing. And they do it willingly because they know and they believe it”
And when it all comes together on stage, Yeager says there is reason to celebrate.
Bethany Yeager
“It’s pretty challenging. They are full of love and so they kind of hang unto you and stuff. But once you get their full attention they are like totally into it. So it takes a few minutes to get them settled down, but once you get it into their head that they need to learn, they are going to do it, not problem.”
Joe Yeager, Director, Dramatic Force Dance Group
“The production this weekend will be about two different things. One is called “Symphony of Praise” and the second is called “Choices.” So it’s almost two productions in one big show. “Symphony of Praise” is more classical styles, classical ballet, classical modern, classical jazz. And the music is mellower, so we call it parent friendly. It’s something that is more of a recital format.”
By the end of the two and a half hour program, Bethany hopes that the audience will walk away with more than just memories of beautiful performances.
Bethany Yeager
“What I hope they are going to see is really the presence of God more than anything else. You know they are going to see the dances and parents are going to be proud of their children, but I hope they experience the presence of God right there in the midst of everything; that God really touches their heart.”
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
The performances on Friday and Saturday night begin at seven sharp at the Belmopan Civic Centre. Tickets are fifteen dollars reserved, ten dollars adults, and five dollars for children.
