North Pointe Ballet offers free show at Lakeview Park

Fairy tales and family connections will be part of North Pointe Ballet’s free recital to mark the company’s five-year anniversary.

North Pointe Ballet professional and student dancers will perform Ballet in the Park at 6 p.m., Sept. 19, at Lorain’s Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave.

It is the company’s first performance since the March shutdowns and stayat-home orders needed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, said Janet Dziak, founder and executive artistic director.

Dancers will wear masks when not in a solo piece.

“Everybody has kind of embraced the change, and while it’s not easy to dance in masks, it’s better than not dancing at all,” Dziak said.

It also will be North Pointe Ballet’s first full outdoor show, Dziak said.

The dancers will use a stage set up east of the park’s fountain and provided by Lorain County Metro Parks, which operates the park.

Lakeview Park has enough room for audience members to spread out at safe distances, Dziak said.

She noted anyone coming to watch should bring their own lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on.

Audience seats will not be provided.

The first act will feature excerpts from the fairy tale ballets that the company has performed in the last five years, such as “Peter Pan” and “Cinderella.”

“It’s very colorful, very family friendly,” Dziak said.

During intermission, North Pointe Ballet Assistant Director Melaina Kampf will teach audience members a brief dance.

The audience then can join in by dancing in place at the end of the second act, which will have “Because of You,” a more contemporary work based on Dziak’s experience with her son.

The dancers began their conditioning in July and rehearsals in August.

North Pointe Ballet has made its home stage at the Lo rain Palace Theater in downtown Lorain, where most of the practices take place.

“Rehearsals have been going really well,” Dziak said. “It’s been great, actually.

“The dancers feel very comfortable with the amount of space. They can spread out, and there’s air circulation.”

The company also has rented other studio space with mirrors, which help the dancers work on their form.

The show will not go on if rain creates slippery conditions on stage, Dziak said.

But as of Sept. 16, the weather forecast looks promising, she said.

The show is expected to last about an hour, so Dziak said ballet fans or newcomers to the art are invited to stay at the park to watch the sunset.