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‘Just Let Those Kids Dance’: Finding a Way for the Show to Go On ‘Just Let Those Kids Dance’: Finding a Way for the Show to Go On
(about 1 hour later)
RANDALLSTOWN, Md. — On a sweltering Sunday afternoon in July, families sat in folding chairs arranged in socially distant clusters in the half-empty parking lot of a strip mall.RANDALLSTOWN, Md. — On a sweltering Sunday afternoon in July, families sat in folding chairs arranged in socially distant clusters in the half-empty parking lot of a strip mall.
No one was under the impression that it was an ideal spot for a dance recital.No one was under the impression that it was an ideal spot for a dance recital.
The backdrop behind the small, makeshift stage was a gas station and Maryland Route 26. The sun beat down so hard that audience members unfurled umbrellas in between routines. When one young dancer, lifting her body up from a bridge, pulled her hands from surface of the stage, she winced as if she had accidentally touched a stovetop.The backdrop behind the small, makeshift stage was a gas station and Maryland Route 26. The sun beat down so hard that audience members unfurled umbrellas in between routines. When one young dancer, lifting her body up from a bridge, pulled her hands from surface of the stage, she winced as if she had accidentally touched a stovetop.
Still, that the students were onstage at all was enough for Kaniesha Reeder, the owner of N’Ferno Performing Arts Center, the studio putting on the show. During the four months of the coronavirus lockdown, Ms. Reeder held onto hope that she would be able to find a way for her students to have their annual recital.Still, that the students were onstage at all was enough for Kaniesha Reeder, the owner of N’Ferno Performing Arts Center, the studio putting on the show. During the four months of the coronavirus lockdown, Ms. Reeder held onto hope that she would be able to find a way for her students to have their annual recital.
“We have survived Covid and we have gotten these babies onstage,” a triumphant Ms. Reeder told the audience at the start of the show.“We have survived Covid and we have gotten these babies onstage,” a triumphant Ms. Reeder told the audience at the start of the show.
In March, as the pandemic accelerated in the United States, the professional dance world contracted. Spring performance dates for dance companies were struck from calendars and soon fall shows were canceled too.In March, as the pandemic accelerated in the United States, the professional dance world contracted. Spring performance dates for dance companies were struck from calendars and soon fall shows were canceled too.
In the world of amateur dance, the pandemic was just as earth shattering. At dance studios across the country, regular classes went virtual, dancers found stand-ins for the ballet barre in their homes, parents demanded refunds for tuition, and one question loomed large: What would happen to the annual recital?In the world of amateur dance, the pandemic was just as earth shattering. At dance studios across the country, regular classes went virtual, dancers found stand-ins for the ballet barre in their homes, parents demanded refunds for tuition, and one question loomed large: What would happen to the annual recital?
Among students of dance, the recital is much more than just a performance. It’s the culmination of a year’s work and a social event: Dancers do each other’s makeup and nervously practice their steps before the curtain parts. Families gather to hoot and holler for their dancing relatives and deliver bouquets of flowers.Among students of dance, the recital is much more than just a performance. It’s the culmination of a year’s work and a social event: Dancers do each other’s makeup and nervously practice their steps before the curtain parts. Families gather to hoot and holler for their dancing relatives and deliver bouquets of flowers.
When the pandemic hit, some studios made swift decisions to cancel their performances, while others held virtual ones they knew could not compare to the adrenaline-filled, sequin-covered excitement of the real thing.When the pandemic hit, some studios made swift decisions to cancel their performances, while others held virtual ones they knew could not compare to the adrenaline-filled, sequin-covered excitement of the real thing.
But others dug in their heels and resolved to find some way to put on their biggest show of the year.But others dug in their heels and resolved to find some way to put on their biggest show of the year.
In Randallstown that meant renting a 24-foot-long stage that could be set up outside, designing socially distant seating and buying a slew of protective tools, including no-touch thermometers, air purifiers and portable hand-washing stations.In Randallstown that meant renting a 24-foot-long stage that could be set up outside, designing socially distant seating and buying a slew of protective tools, including no-touch thermometers, air purifiers and portable hand-washing stations.
“I refuse to let this virus stop me from having this recital,” said Ms. Reeder, who opened her studio 12 years ago.“I refuse to let this virus stop me from having this recital,” said Ms. Reeder, who opened her studio 12 years ago.
When it came time for the dancer to perform, they walked single file to the stage, all wearing masks with their glittering costumes. An adult collected their masks before they took the stage, and after they bourréed in tutus to a track from “Tangled” or performed a regal modern routine to a song from “The Lion King,” the masks went back on.When it came time for the dancer to perform, they walked single file to the stage, all wearing masks with their glittering costumes. An adult collected their masks before they took the stage, and after they bourréed in tutus to a track from “Tangled” or performed a regal modern routine to a song from “The Lion King,” the masks went back on.
“They work so hard, and I really enjoy seeing them onstage,” Ms. Reeder said. “This is something I feel like that they deserve.”“They work so hard, and I really enjoy seeing them onstage,” Ms. Reeder said. “This is something I feel like that they deserve.”
Across the country, many dance studios are struggling to survive. Some are seeing an exodus of students who can no longer pay tuition because parents have lost jobs or don’t see the value in virtual rehearsals. Studios must continue to pay teachers to conduct Zoom rehearsals, send in rent checks and fund the socially-distant recitals.Across the country, many dance studios are struggling to survive. Some are seeing an exodus of students who can no longer pay tuition because parents have lost jobs or don’t see the value in virtual rehearsals. Studios must continue to pay teachers to conduct Zoom rehearsals, send in rent checks and fund the socially-distant recitals.
They are mostly relying on loyal students who are willing to pay during this tumultuous period of online dance classes. And the prospect of a live performance in the near future can help keep students invested and give them something to work toward.They are mostly relying on loyal students who are willing to pay during this tumultuous period of online dance classes. And the prospect of a live performance in the near future can help keep students invested and give them something to work toward.
Gina Siciliano, who teaches early childhood ballet for Integral Ballet in Merrick, N.Y., was intent on preserving a human connection over Zoom with her students, who range from 2 to 8 years old. Ms. Siciliano was tasked with preparing the young dancers for a reimagined recital that would involve dancing in full costume and makeup in a public park.Gina Siciliano, who teaches early childhood ballet for Integral Ballet in Merrick, N.Y., was intent on preserving a human connection over Zoom with her students, who range from 2 to 8 years old. Ms. Siciliano was tasked with preparing the young dancers for a reimagined recital that would involve dancing in full costume and makeup in a public park.
A primary concern for teachers has been making sure that students’ off-site training doesn’t result in injury. And Ms. Siciliano knew the risk: In a Zoom rehearsal from her living room in May, she was demonstrating a simple sauté when she tripped and broke her ankle.A primary concern for teachers has been making sure that students’ off-site training doesn’t result in injury. And Ms. Siciliano knew the risk: In a Zoom rehearsal from her living room in May, she was demonstrating a simple sauté when she tripped and broke her ankle.
“I was wanting to dance fully so the students could feel my energy,” she said. “I guess I was overzealous.”“I was wanting to dance fully so the students could feel my energy,” she said. “I guess I was overzealous.”
So, in the park on a day late in June, Ms. Siciliano’s students wore street shoes rather than ballet slippers with their purple sparkling tutus and hair-sprayed buns to prevent tripping in the grass.So, in the park on a day late in June, Ms. Siciliano’s students wore street shoes rather than ballet slippers with their purple sparkling tutus and hair-sprayed buns to prevent tripping in the grass.
The show — Integral Ballet called it a pop-up recital — allowed students a chance to perform choreography they had started to learn months earlier, when the word coronavirus was not part of the common parlance.The show — Integral Ballet called it a pop-up recital — allowed students a chance to perform choreography they had started to learn months earlier, when the word coronavirus was not part of the common parlance.
Parents wearing masks stood by their parked cars watching a group in bright yellow raincoats and knee-high boots performing to “Singin’ in the Rain” under the hot sun, with white clouds and a blue sky behind them.Parents wearing masks stood by their parked cars watching a group in bright yellow raincoats and knee-high boots performing to “Singin’ in the Rain” under the hot sun, with white clouds and a blue sky behind them.
A class of teenage dancers wearing long white ballet skirts had resigned themselves to doing single pirouettes, rather than doubles, on the uneven grass of the outdoor stage.A class of teenage dancers wearing long white ballet skirts had resigned themselves to doing single pirouettes, rather than doubles, on the uneven grass of the outdoor stage.
Updated July 15, 2020Updated July 15, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
For Ballet Folklórico México Danza, a studio that teaches traditional Mexican dance to children and adults in Hayward, Calif., the big performance dates are not until fall. For now, the school is navigating the challenges of socially distant rehearsing for roughly 120 students of all ages while trying not to make too many assumptions about what the world will be like in October.For Ballet Folklórico México Danza, a studio that teaches traditional Mexican dance to children and adults in Hayward, Calif., the big performance dates are not until fall. For now, the school is navigating the challenges of socially distant rehearsing for roughly 120 students of all ages while trying not to make too many assumptions about what the world will be like in October.
That month, the dance school is planning to hold its Día de los Muertos show; in late November, it plans to perform its Mexican “Nutcracker” — a show the school is determined to put on, even as big companies like the New York City Ballet have had to cancel their “Nutcrackers.”That month, the dance school is planning to hold its Día de los Muertos show; in late November, it plans to perform its Mexican “Nutcracker” — a show the school is determined to put on, even as big companies like the New York City Ballet have had to cancel their “Nutcrackers.”
For Ballet Folklórico, operating during a pandemic has meant cutting in-person classes to no more than a dozen per class from 25 or 30. The dancers, who returned to the studio in mid-June, rehearse six feet apart, guided by red tape on the floor; staff members sanitize the bathrooms and doorknobs between sessions.For Ballet Folklórico, operating during a pandemic has meant cutting in-person classes to no more than a dozen per class from 25 or 30. The dancers, who returned to the studio in mid-June, rehearse six feet apart, guided by red tape on the floor; staff members sanitize the bathrooms and doorknobs between sessions.
René González, a co-owner of Ballet Folklórico, seems particularly well equipped to run a dance studio during the pandemic. In March, Mr. González retired from his career as a technician at Alameda County Public Health Laboratory, and transitioned full time to managing his dance school. He has stayed in contact with his former colleagues to monitor coronavirus cases in the area and understands that if cases spike in the county he might have to close his studio again and move classes online.René González, a co-owner of Ballet Folklórico, seems particularly well equipped to run a dance studio during the pandemic. In March, Mr. González retired from his career as a technician at Alameda County Public Health Laboratory, and transitioned full time to managing his dance school. He has stayed in contact with his former colleagues to monitor coronavirus cases in the area and understands that if cases spike in the county he might have to close his studio again and move classes online.
“If we have to shut down, we have to,” he said. “We can’t be selfish.”“If we have to shut down, we have to,” he said. “We can’t be selfish.”
Mr. González said the high school where they perform the Día de los Muertos show will likely want audience members to be separated by two seats; even with a dramatically reduced audience capacity, he said he would hold the shows.Mr. González said the high school where they perform the Día de los Muertos show will likely want audience members to be separated by two seats; even with a dramatically reduced audience capacity, he said he would hold the shows.
A significant challenge posed by Covid-19 is couple choreography, an important part of traditional Mexican dance, with the women in their billowing, brightly colored skirts and the men in wide-brimmed hats and charro, or horseman, suits. For now, Mr. González said that couples dancing is out — as is choreography that involves the young dancers holding hands and rotating in a circle.A significant challenge posed by Covid-19 is couple choreography, an important part of traditional Mexican dance, with the women in their billowing, brightly colored skirts and the men in wide-brimmed hats and charro, or horseman, suits. For now, Mr. González said that couples dancing is out — as is choreography that involves the young dancers holding hands and rotating in a circle.
“We’re not getting in circles, we’re not touching hands,” he said. “I don’t know when we’re going to get back to the normalcy of teaching dance.”“We’re not getting in circles, we’re not touching hands,” he said. “I don’t know when we’re going to get back to the normalcy of teaching dance.”
When the Ohio governor started allowing gatherings of fewer than 50 people, Barb Coman, the co-owner of NorthPointe Dance Academy, set out to devise a way for a recital to happen. Ms. Coman’s solution was to roll out rubber flooring on the asphalt parking lot in front of the studio.When the Ohio governor started allowing gatherings of fewer than 50 people, Barb Coman, the co-owner of NorthPointe Dance Academy, set out to devise a way for a recital to happen. Ms. Coman’s solution was to roll out rubber flooring on the asphalt parking lot in front of the studio.
For seven days in late June, the academy, in a suburb of Columbus, put on a regimented, socially-distant recital. A dozen dancers at a time performed their numbers in a 15-minute time slot. They danced in taped-off squares, six feet long, in which they could safely kick and jump out of range of their fellow students. Each was allowed two guests, who sheltered under separate 10-foot-long tents.For seven days in late June, the academy, in a suburb of Columbus, put on a regimented, socially-distant recital. A dozen dancers at a time performed their numbers in a 15-minute time slot. They danced in taped-off squares, six feet long, in which they could safely kick and jump out of range of their fellow students. Each was allowed two guests, who sheltered under separate 10-foot-long tents.
There were no stage wings for exits; instead, the youngest dancers ran straight off the stage and into their parents’ arms.There were no stage wings for exits; instead, the youngest dancers ran straight off the stage and into their parents’ arms.
The moratorium on touching meant that any choreography with lifts or partnering had to be modified or mimed. But, as Ms. Coman said: “At some point it really wasn’t about the choreography. It stopped being about that and turned into, just let those kids dance.”The moratorium on touching meant that any choreography with lifts or partnering had to be modified or mimed. But, as Ms. Coman said: “At some point it really wasn’t about the choreography. It stopped being about that and turned into, just let those kids dance.”
While the new recital structure made it easier on the parents (they didn’t have to pay for tickets or sit through an hour-and-a-half of other people’s children dancing), it was much harder on the teachers, who worked, at times, 12-hour days in the studio’s parking lot to make the recital happen.While the new recital structure made it easier on the parents (they didn’t have to pay for tickets or sit through an hour-and-a-half of other people’s children dancing), it was much harder on the teachers, who worked, at times, 12-hour days in the studio’s parking lot to make the recital happen.
Studio owners like Ms. Coman in Ohio and Ms. Reeder in Maryland feel exhausted and overworked in a way that reminds them of the early days of opening a dance studio. But as they hear about other dance studios shutting down altogether because of the pandemic, they’ve decided that they’ll do anything to keep their doors open.Studio owners like Ms. Coman in Ohio and Ms. Reeder in Maryland feel exhausted and overworked in a way that reminds them of the early days of opening a dance studio. But as they hear about other dance studios shutting down altogether because of the pandemic, they’ve decided that they’ll do anything to keep their doors open.
“Everything is 10 times the work for way less money,” Ms. Coman said. “But our business is still afloat.”“Everything is 10 times the work for way less money,” Ms. Coman said. “But our business is still afloat.”