We’ve all heard of those reality dance shows which were massive hits in the 2000’s: “Dance Moms” or even “Toddler and Tiaras”, and we know the drama which occurs both on and off the stage. Clare Barron’s Dance Nation, directed by Diana Bentley, brings that drama to life right before your eyes. With a cast of some of Toronto’s favourites all playing 11 – 14 year olds, Dance Nation at times feels like a wild fever-dream you have to see to believe.

Dance Nation is making full use of the Coal Mine Theatre and their new upper space, The Vault. Act One of the play takes place in a runway formation on the upper floor, and then at the beginning of intermission, two crew members divide up the audience and take us down to the Coal Mine’s mainspace, which has been transformed to an in-the-round style, featuring Outside the March’s new, and very comfortable, seating. Nick Blais has truly outdone himself with these sets: both of them feel immersive and dazzling with the different configurations. The Vault is primarily used as the dance studio, with mirrors on all four walls and a shining black floor. The mainspace has been converted into a forest with foliage covering every inch of the stage and even the ceiling. It’s a stark difference, and yet that change is certainly marked in the story. Kathleen Black has created incredible costumes for this production, including a giant lobster which is worn by Oliver Dennis and has you laughing right off the top of the show. These glittery, gorgeous outfits are countered by the more tame practice body suits, but I also loved seeing how these characters dress outside of their dance lives.

Somewhere in midwestern America, a group of youngsters are preparing for the performance of their lives: they’re just a few competitions away from Nationals in Tampa Bay and all of them are bursting with excitement. Their coach, Dance Teacher Pat (always referred to in full), could give Alyssa Edwards (of “Dance Queen”) a run for her money with how strict and demanding he can be on his proteges. While some of the girls dream of being great dancers, most of them are there for the fun, and because they like spending the time together. They talk about everything that’s happening in their lives, even their most deep and private secrets. But is Amina, the most determined of the bunch, willing to make the sacrifices she’ll have to make to become the best dancer she can be? Or will the pressure simply be too much?

Dance Nation felt at once recognizable and foreign all at the same time. Though I’m not a huge fan of the reality shows I’ve mentioned off the top, they’re so in the zeitgeist that they’re almost impossible to escape. So the pressure placed on these young dancers by their teacher and the ferocity with which they perform feels very understandable. However, what shocked me the most was how open these girls are with one another, talking about everything from masturbation to how they want to lose their virginity; it’s certainly not what I was thinking about as a young teen, anyways. And what’s more, these words are being spoken by adults, which feels fine, but then you have to remember that these adults are playing teens, and suddenly it takes on new meaning.

The way that the characters spoke, their cadence and diction, was one of my favourite elements of the story. There’s a beautiful naivete and honesty in what they’re saying, particularly in their monologues throughout the show. But then there’s also kids like Maeve, who just come in with the weirdest statements like it’s a totally normal thing. I also loved the dynamic of having just one boy, Luke, in the class. Dance Teacher Pat frequently refers to his class collectively as “girls” which always slightly deflates poor Luke. It just gives that extra dimension to the play, while adding a sweetheart story line between Luke and Zuzu. And yet, there are these moments where all of them are chanting or speaking in unison which at first seems innocent, but as the play progresses starts giving off cult-y vibes. Whether they’re talking about their passion for dance, or their pussys, these moments of synchronicity take you by surprise, and also make you wonder if maybe these teens are spending a little too much time together.

I could not imagine a more perfect cast for Dance Nation than the folks Coal Mine have assembled. Beck Lloyd is elegant and poised as Amina, while also giving her an emotional side we fall in love with. Amy Keating uses her full tenacity and power as Ashlee; her monologue in particular took my breath away. Annie Luján’s Zuzu is earnest and yet full of so much self-doubt, and Luján makes you want to cheer for Zuzu the whole way along. Jean Yoon’s Sofia is sweet, yet you can tell that she doesn’t mind being the one to stir the pot. Zorana Sadiq plays Connie who, along with her lucky horse, is clearly trying to do her best despite feeling on the outs with the rest of the girls in her class. Oliver Dennis’ Luke steals your heart; as the only boy in the class, and with his eyes set on Zuzu, you just can’t help but adore this kind young man. Katherine Cullen is perfectly unhinged as Maeve; she brings the chaos in the best way possible and I love how intense Maeve comes across. Dance Teacher Pat is embodied by Salvatore Antonio, whose cheek bones are as sharp as his attitude. Amy Matysio plays “The Moms”, as in everyone’s mom at one point or another. I loved the parts where she went full “Dance Moms” level mom as Zuzu’s mother, it was fierce! This whole cast has such great chemistry together and you can feel that they’re truly giving their all to their roles.

Dance Nation simultaneously made me feel nostalgic for the time of my life where I took dance, but also wildly thankful that I wasn’t involved in the competitive dance scene. The pressure is wild, and the fact that it’s being placed on such small shoulders feels unfair. Dance Nation asks us to look at that pressure we feel, even as adults, and what we’re willing to sacrifice to follow our dreams.

Dance Nation runs at the Coal Mine Theatre until May 10. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.coalminetheatre.com/dance-nation

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Cover Photo: (L to R) Zorana Sadiq, Amy Keating, Oliver Dennis, Beck Lloyd, Jean Yoon, Katherine Cullen, and Annie Luján in Dance Nation. Photo by Elana Emer.

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