Two teenagers from Snohomish County will participate in this year’s “DANCE This,” Seattle Theatre Group’s annual celebration of the best young dancers in the region.
The dancers — Alana Clement, 15, of Monroe, and Lobsang Y. Tsatultsang, 16, of Mountlake Terrace — share a passion for movement and represent the diversity of dances to be performed: Eleven styles of dances are scheduled for the 14th annual recital.
Alana is participating in a Mongolian style called the Chopstick Dance. “I like this dance because it is energetic and fun,” Alana said. “We use chopsticks to create a beat and sound.”
Lobsang will perform a Tibetan masked dance called Tashi Sholpa, a symbol of good luck.
“We love it because it’s a fun yet hard dance to pull off,” he said.
Both dancers are part of larger troupes. “DANCE This” is an opportunity for the young dancers to work with professional choreographers and be part of staging a professional show.
For Alana, who was born in China, the dance is a way to share her birth culture here in America.
“I hope that the U.S. and China will become better friends,” she said.
Performing Tibetan dances is like representing Tibet as a county, Lobsang said.
“As cheesy as it sounds, it’s true,” he said. “Tibet has been through many struggles for the past decades and many Tibetans have been put through hard times.
“When performing, I want to let not only the Tibetan people but everyone know that the younger generation hasn’t forgotten about our culture and background as Tibetans.”
“DANCE This” will be presented twice, at 7:30 tonight and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle.
Tickets are $12 for students and $20 for adults in advance, $15 and $23 on the day of the performance. Buy tickets at the theatre box office, www.stgpresents.org or 206-292-2787.
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