Alight Dance Theater Lights Up Dance Place

If the truth be told, Angella Foster, the artistic director of alight dance theater, is not one to rest much after a big effort comes to fruition, such as alight’s premiere of "Truth Be Told" at Washington, D.C.’s Dance Place.

“We're already looking forward to being in the studio next weekend to start reshaping the work for our upcoming performances of 'Truth Be Told' at the Greenbelt Arts Center," Foster exclaimed on the day after opening. "This process will give us a chance to re-imagine the piece and try some new things. Should be fun!”

Fun it is! "Truth Be Told" is dance like you’ve never seen it. The multimedia piece skewers the contemporary “culture of contrition,” in the guise of a live-action "reality” show — complete with tearful and snarky commentary from the “confession cam.”

The cam is really video footage of troupe members that was edited by Dianamaria Adams and Foster. Dancers developed their show “personas” over many months and tapped into facets of their personalities, which came out in the story’s trajectory.

Notable is “party girl” Caitlin Jordan, who could out-cat fight Snooki any day. And Wayles Haynes’ delightfully over-the-top show hostess could teach politicians about public apologies that are “just contrite enough to be believable.”

Many regional dance companies would view the premiere of a new work at Dance Place as a season milestone. But alight sees these performances as part of a journey that begins and ends from the troupe’s home in Greenbelt.

Alight board member Jeremy Ehrenreich emphasized how central this Greenbelt connection is to alight’s mission to be a community-based dance troupe. Not only does alight appreciate its residency in the beautiful dance studio at the Greenbelt Community Center — its next work, “Hometown Heroes,” which is scheduled to premiere at the Greenbelt Museum in summer 2012, draws inspiration from Greenbelt history and stories.

Greenbelt will get the opportunity to treat itself to the upcoming performance of "Truth Be Told" at GAC — alight’s valentine to Greenbelt. Locals can see original dance theater that is fun and funny — if the audience laughter at Dance Place is anything to judge by. They will also get the chance to attend a gala reception on February 18 with refreshments, a silent auction, and a community dance co-sponsored by The People’s Dance Party.

Starting February 1, fans can visit alight’s website to enter to win a Valentine’s Day prize package, which include tickets to the show, dinner, flowers and a bottle of wine.