The University of Idaho Argonaut

The play “Peter Pan” will come to life in Festival Dance’s original ballet, “A Magical Peter Pan Christmas” this holiday season. 
The production is created and directed by University of Idaho dance graduate Crystal Bain with assistance from Washington State University graduate Mia Song Seshiki, who has been working with Festival Dance for three years.

“We work well together as a team,” Seshiki said. “I’m just honored to help her with it.”
Bain said she has never directed or done costumes for a production this large. The production will feature 80 dancers from Moscow and Pullman. Bain enlisted herself and her family to create the 80 costumes, rich in color and sparkle, to bring the mermaids, fairies and pirates to life.

“It will be a real treat for the eye,” Bain said.

Transforming a play into a ballet where one relies on movement and music to tell the story can be a difficult task.
“You have to have a good background and good music to make a successful ballet, Seshiki said. “The story and the music need to match and be brought together through creativity.”
Bain has been dancing since she was five and besides dance, was involved in various theater and musical performances at UI.  Seshiki too, besides her 23 years of ballet experience, has a background in theater.

“It takes some acting and pantomiming to convey dialogue to the audience with your body movements,” said Gina Hill, a senior at Moscow High School who plays the part of Wendy. 
Siri Hammond, from Pullman High School plays Peter and said she has never danced the lead role before, but that her background in theater helped her with her part.
“My passion is performing,” she said. “Dancing is just another form.”

The dancers have been practicing for two months and many have never been featured in an auditioned role before.
“I was in ‘The Nutcracker’ last year but this is my first major role,” said Anna Klein from Pullman High School who plays the role of Tinkerbell. “Putting a fairy in movement, you have to give the elusion you’re flying and 6 inches tall — that can be hard, but it’s a lot of fun. Tinkerbell is very sassy.”

Katy Traynor plays Peter’s shadow.
“I only have one piece but it’s a very unique dance because of the differences of character,” she said. “I’m mischievous and Peter is
more proud.”

The production features performances of ballet, jazz, tap and Irish dance along with music and songs by area artists.
Noel Barbuto, a UI graduate student in theatre arts will appear as Captain Hook and Moscow High Senior Lisa Saladin will be seen as
the crocodile.
“It’s a very family-oriented show,” Seshiki said. “Any reason to get the family to do something is important. Plus, who doesn’t love Peter Pan? It’s got fairies, pirates and everything a kid with imagination comes up with.”