Time to toe the line

Ballet students prepare for performance in The Woodlands

By Michael Baker
The Facts

Published February 05, 2003

LAKE JACKSON — Rehearsals are under way for the regional premiere of a short, comical ballet featuring several Brazoria County dancers.

Ballet students, aged 13 to 18, from the Academy of Ballet and Dance Arts on Plantation Drive in Lake Jackson are working with professional dancers to perform the new ballet “Argyle.” The 12-minute ballet will be performed for an audience in February.

“It’s a very campy, funny ballet about argyle socks,” said Deborah Rayburn, the academy’s founder. “It’s a hoot to watch.”

The ballet began to click after the first rehearsal, Rayburn said.

“We have to get a lot of choreography laid down,” Rayburn said. “But it’s very together, even at this point.”

The ballet is choreographed by Rob Davidson, a dancer who has worked extensively both in the Houston area and nationwide, Rayburn said.

“Argyle” will be performed as part of Festival Ballet of Greater Houston’s mid-season mixed repertoire program, “Classics to Contemporary,” that will be showcased at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at Montgomery College, located to the north of The Woodlands.

The Academy is a recently-opened, comprehensive school of dance arts for both recreational dancers and serious performers, ages 4 to adult. It offers training in four dance areas — classical ballet, jazz, modern and musical theater.

For information, visit www.festivalballet.info