The Pioneer Frontier Magazine

Miriam (Parke Brumit), Jacobed (Tanya Rathbun) and the Princess (Lori Anne Sparks) come to Moses (Jeffrey Diehl) in a dream.

While many have read, watched or listened to the story of Moses from the book of Exodus in the Bible, the power of dance and physical interpretation was felt at Annie Hogan Byrd on January 22, at 7 p.m. In its seventh year, Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville produced Exodus, the Story of Moses. The private ballet company, which ministers through dance, sent a message of inspiration to the audience on opening night.

In the beginning the Hebrew people were under the rule of Egypt and the Pharaoh.  As enemies grew and the Hebrew population increased, Pharaoh became paranoid and decreed all male Hebrew babies be thrown in the river.  Jacobed, knowing Moses was a special child, puts her son in a make shift basket and sent him down the river for a better life.  Ironically the Pharaoh’s daughter saves him and he grows up in wealth and privilege.  When grown Moses faces a choice between power and the love for his people.

Throughout the ballet we watch Moses as he is broken down by God and lifted back up to save his people and take them back to the promise land. “People need to remember the power of love has to overcome the love of power so the world will know peace,” said Dante Adela, the dancer that portrayed the Pharaoh.

Moses (Jeffrey Diehl) and Zipporah (Emily Perkins) celebrate their marriage.

As the dancers prepared for the show, each had a goal of interpretation they wanted to convey to the audience.  Sarah Sanders wanted to show the humility of Moses. Todd Aiken wanted people to see the way God can use people once all things are gone. Amy Pitman Durand hoped people would see that seemingly impossible obstacles can be overcome and to stay encouraged and positive through the struggles.  “Any show that can relay a message without using words is powerful,” Victoria Neal.

Because the ballet company is still introducing itself to many for the first time and being in a conservative area, the costumes were geared toward the audience with the men not wearing tights, but white cotton pants. The dancers made up for the setback by remembering the discipline for dance.  “Great things keep happening each year we come back. It’s all about learning and growing as a group,” said Dante Adela.

The ballet was a success, accompanied by a standing ovation. The community turnout was fantastic d filled most of the seats opening night. About twenty Tusculum students were also in attendance. One woman even asked about where to pick up tickets for next year’s show.  The show will continue on the 23rd at 7pm and 24th at 2:30 pm. For Saturday and Sunday’s performances, the audience is sure to take away a message of their own.