Nowon-gu Dream Dance Troupe 'Yeggum Ballet Company' Achievement Presentation on November 30 at 4 PM at Nowon Children's Theater... Original Ballet Performance 'The Fifth Season - We Are Another Special Season' Reflecting Seasonal Changes and Troupe Growth
Nowon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok), announced that the Dream Dance Troupe, ‘Yeggum Ballet Company,’ held its achievement presentation titled 'The Fifth Season' at 4 p.m. on the 30th of last month at the Nowon Children’s Theater.
The Dream Dance Troupe is a dance arts education project hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service.
The district named the troupe ‘Yeggum Ballet Company’ to embody the meaning of communicating through art and respecting diversity. The goal is to help various children and adolescents experience healthy self-understanding through dance, cultivate creativity and social relationships, and grow holistically.
Earlier this year, the district was selected as a new base institution for this project and selected a total of 32 children and adolescents residing in the area. In particular, the participation rate of culturally vulnerable groups, such as those with borderline intellectual functioning (8 people) and other socially disadvantaged groups (18 people), was significantly increased.
This performance was a special event in which the troupe members directly participated in the creative process and performed, reflecting the identity of the ‘Yeggum Ballet Company.’ The performance consisted of five acts, depicting scenes of ▲spring ▲summer ▲autumn ▲winter following the flow of the four seasons, and concluding with the troupe members’ imagined 'fifth season,' ▲Our Season.
Collaboration was also carried out to make the stage richer and more beautiful. Seven dancers from the Seoul City Ballet Company ‘Dance Theater Shahar,’ known for expressing various dance genres, theater, and video comprehensively with a focus on ballet techniques, appeared as guest members and performed in harmony with the Yeggum Ballet Company. In particular, the appearance of ‘Jung Min-chan,’ known for Stage Fighter, Dancing9, and Ballet Trot, drew enthusiastic responses.
The children and adolescents showed their efforts and passion on stage, and especially the growth stories of friends with borderline intellectual functioning preparing for the presentation deeply moved the audience.
Participant student Lee O-ji (6th grade elementary) who prepared for the presentation said, “At first, I was very nervous and it was difficult. But learning ballet and modern dance moves alternately made it interesting, and as I became closer with my friends, the classes became more and more fun.” She added, “On the day of the performance, I was more nervous than any other day, but I enjoyed the stage thinking that I could do well because I had worked hard.”
Parent Won Ji-hee (born 1979), who had been watching the preparation process, said, “When I heard the news of the founding of the Yeggum Ballet Company, where children with borderline intellectual functioning are the main characters, I was happy that my daughter also had the opportunity to express herself.” She added, “But honestly, I also had doubts like ‘Can my daughter really perform such difficult ballet well?’ Fortunately, seeing the well-completed results, I realized ‘Our children are strong in actual performance, and my worries were just a mother’s unnecessary concerns.’”
She also shared her thoughts, saying, “Seeing our children perform confidently and joyfully made me very proud, and I gained the conviction that even if slow, they can do it. I thank all the staff who prepared the performance.”
Director Ji Woo-young, who was in charge of directing, said, “Students with borderline intellectual functioning initially had difficulty adapting. Their self-esteem was very low, and their physical strength was weak, so they often wanted to rest. However, through communication with peers and the expectation of being able to perform on stage, they gradually showed more active attitudes.” He added, “The performances shown by the troupe members on stage are the results of their efforts and challenges. I am proud of the friends who overcame difficult processes, and we will continue to support various children and adolescents to find more possibilities through art.”
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “This performance will be a precious time to share the changes and growth experienced by the Dream Dance Troupe children and adolescent members through the flow of the four seasons.” He added, “We will spare no support so that they can view relationships with others in a new light and grow healthily through this experience.”
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