In the Philippines where the vast majority is under 25 years old, aging is something people dread. Dancers may be especially unenthusiastic about growing old, for in the theater world, the emphasis is on the youth. Most dancers are under 30, and the choreographies portray a world of perpetual youth
However, there are dancers who don’t even hide their age and are even proud of it. Whenever dancer-teacher Perry Sevidal, turns a year older, she wears her age like a badge. At 56, she proves that a dancer, who is no longer a spring chicken, can still make a performance memorable.
Sevidal was rehearsal mistress and a member of Ballet Philippines. Twenty years ago, she made a leap by putting up her school Perry Sevidal Ballet, which became known for her personalized teaching approach. The ladies’ ballet class, composed of women between 30 and 60 years old, is one of the most popular. Middle-aged mothers enjoy skittering across the studio in their pointe shoes.
During the annual recital, choreographers create a piece for Sevidal to which she dances with distinction. Her performances are hardly renderings of her faded glory. Instead they are portrayals of a dancer as a mature artist who performs with effortlessness, correctness and clarity. Younger dancers can’t help but applaud at the high level of dancing and artistry.
Despite the years, Sevidal still hankers for new expression and has fun with it. Here’s a montage of her age-appropriate solos.
Perry Sevidal Ballet, 8883 Sampaloc Avenue, San Antonio Village, Makati City; +63 2 895-7812 or +63 917-525 5370
