Three Dorothys, a pair of witches, a pink munchkin and an acrobatic flying monkey adds up to a trip to the Land of Oz.
That is, if the trip is imagined by instructors from Nicole’s Dance Center and 15 young performers, ages 6 to 14, at summer camp. The Tin Man, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion and the “great and powerful” Wizard of Oz also traveled down the yellow brick road.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
And they were having fun — precisely what Nicole Bouchard wants her students to have.
“It’s not only learning about dance but also about family,” said Bouchard, who opened her dance studio, at 3934 Lake Padgett Drive in Land O’ Lakes, nearly two years ago. “It’s not all about pointing your toe or how high your leg goes. You learn something in the process about yourself.”
On July 31, Bouchard’s troupe of summer camp dancers performed for a standing room only crowd of proud parents, siblings and friends. They had worked for a week to learn their parts and build the scenery to create the imaginary world of Oz. Only three of the students had experience as stage performers.
But Bouchard said, “They took ownership. They were all part of it.”
In auditions, 14-year-old Tiffany Bassett tried out for the role of the Wizard.
“He’s green,” said Bassett, costumed in a sparkly green dress and green streaked hair tresses. “I like green.”
Behind the scenes, volunteers and moms, Leesa Fryer and Brandy Gold, applied finishing touches to makeup for Glinda, the Good Witch; The Scarecrow; a “flying monkey”; and a crew of pink, green, yellow and orange Munchkins. The women also were co-directors for the production.
Gold and Fryer each have dance and musical theater chops. Fryer has taught dance; Gold was a musical theater major in college, and was the arts and cultural director for the Tampa Jewish Community Center in Tampa.
“I have a blast as a mom,” said Fryer. “It’s a joy to be able to do this with my daughter.”
But she added, “They are all like my babies.”
Fryer’s daughter, DeLaney Fryer, was one of the three Dorothys. Gold’s daughter, Brilee Gold, was the loose-limbed Scarecrow.
Other performers were Ashley Vandiver, Noelle O’Parka, Erin Vandiver, Tabitha Vinson, Elise Labutis, Emma Sarhaddi, Kalyn Day, Alice Stryker, Isabella Robbins, Margo Armstrong, Mia Campione and Neena Setia.
Bouchard choreographed the 30-minute production.
The studio is her dream-come-true.
She went solo after more than 30 years of dance experience, and about two decades of teaching with other dance troupes including Florida Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America and New York Dance Alliance.
Enrollment at her studio has about doubled within two years. Bouchard currently is expanding a second room to accommodate about 100 students.
“I’ve been really blessed,” Bouchard said. “I’m supported by imaginative people.”
Published August 12, 2015
