43
Struthers student stars as Dorothy in upcoming ballet
Struthers student stars as dorothy
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
During her first dance recital at age 7 to “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Davia Ford performed all the choreography backwards.
Ford, now 18, has come a long way since then.
The Struthers High School senior will star as Dorothy in the Ballet Western Reserve’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” on Saturday. It is her first lead role.
The nonprofit dance academy for children is breaking with tradition this year – it typically performs “The Nutcracker” before the Christmas season. Russia’s Moscow Ballet will instead perform “The Nutracker” in Youngstown on Nov. 26.
After graduating high school, Ford plans to study ballet at the Cleveland Ballet Training Program. Ford’s dream is to become a professional dancer for the American Ballet Theatre in New York City.
She enjoys watching professional ballets for inspiration, though she always does so with a dancer’s technical eye.
“We look at things other audience members don’t look at,” Ford said. “We usually look at their feet more than their upper body because we’re used to critiquing ourselves.”
At its best, the dance form looks effortless. However, Ford’s feet, which are worn from pointe shoes, show otherwise.
“It’s a lot of hard work, and you have to be very strict with yourself, because you have to make it look so easy and perfect,” she said. “It’s not as easy as it looks.”
Ford also studies jazz, tap and modern dance, though ballet is her favorite.
“A lot of other dance forms are based off ballet,” she said. “If you want to do other dance forms, you can use ballet as a base.”
Before she began formally learning dance, Ford enjoyed twirling around her home while her mother played classical music. At Struthers High School, Ford is a member of French Club, Art Squad and Color Guard.
As Dorothy, Ford is most looking forward to performing the dungeon scene. The sequence, she said, requires the most emotional investment.
Before she takes the stage at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday in Edward W. Powers Auditorium, Ford will lace up special red pointe shoes in honor of Dorothy’s ruby-red slippers. According to their custom, members of the ensemble will say “good luck” in French rather than “break a leg.”