Notes

Dance for Me

Summary: Maya Berkey is one of the nation's most respected dancers. Known as a principal at the American Ballet Theatre, many have come to find that she is talented and incredibly well-disciplined. However, everyone fails to see that she lives at home with her abusive family who beat her into succeeding. After a particularly bad injury, Maya is rewarded a settlement check and is forced to quit ballet. She moves to a small town away from her family and begins teaching dance to small children, where she learns invaluable lessons from them and even meets Tyler, a dancer who she falls in love with. The only problem is that her injury is healing, and she is expected to be back in New York again. How will she avoid the turmoil and drama that comes with doing what she loves?

Characters:
MAYA BERKEY- Young, incredibly talented girl who is quiet and meek due to her upbringing. She hyperfocuses on ballet to avoid her problems in life. Desperately wants to escape, but does not have the means or the guts.

TYLER ROSS- Dancer from Towner, Missouri, who dreams of dancing in New York. Sort of living Maya's opposite life- has a supportive family who wants him to succeed and do what he wants. Sympathetic and meets Maya while she is teaching dance classes.

NANCY BERKEY- Maya's mother. Controlling and abusive. She wants her daughter to have the success she never did. She grew up poor and refuses to let her daughter have a mediocre life.. At any costs.

PETER BERKEY- Maya's father. He is more in it for the money than to see his daughter succeed. Collects Maya's checks and does most of the heavylifting in the abuse of his daughter, though equally as responsible. Feels more resentment than love to his child.

MISS STETSON- Stern ballet mistress. Can double as ensemble.

MISS ROSS- Towner, Missouri's best ballet teacher and Tyler's mother. Takes Maya in.

RILEY, KAYLA, VANESSA, NATSUME, AUDREY, AMY, PETER, various nameless kids- Ballet students at Twinkle Toes. Some of them love dance, while others do it more for their parents. Should be played by children.

YASMEEN, EDIE, SVETLANA, TERAH, CASEY- Ensemble actors who double as ballerinas with small singing feature parts or dialogue bits. All of these girls are principle dancers.

ENSEMBLE (Ballerinas, Flight attendants, coaches, more)- Versatile actors who can double as many roles. Want a wide range of people, no set race or look necessary. Different voice types are encouraged.
Songs:
ACT ONE:
1. The Magic of Dance (Maya, Ensemble)
2. Welcome Back Home/Our House (Nancy, Maya, Peter)
3. Rehearsal (Maya, Dancers, Miss Stetson)
3. The Concert (Maya, Dancers)
4. Aftermath (Nancy, Peter)
5. A Thread (Maya)
6. Emergency, Emergency (Ensemble, Maya, Nancy, Peter)
7. Will She? (Nancy, Peter, Dr. Reynolds)
8. The Magic of Dance (Reprise) (Maya, Nancy, Peter, Dr. Reynolds)
9. Back at the Ballet (Ensemble, Miss Stetson)
10. A Plane Ride (Maya)
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ACT TWO:
1. Towner, Missouri (Maya, Tyler, Miss Ross)
2. Welcome to Our Studio (Miss Ross, Tyler)
3. First Day of Class (Kids, Maya)
4.