By Steve Sucato
A lot of time, nerves, and sweat equity went into GroundWorks DanceTheater’s It Takes Two! 2022 gala benefit this past May 26. The annual event that raised nearly $120,000 for GroundWorks’s education and outreach efforts in and around Northeast, Ohio. A huge part of this year’s event success were its celebrity dancers; a group of area community and business leaders turned amateur dancers who were partnered with GroundWorks’s company dancers to create performance works for the benefit. Each brought energy, humor, and plenty of gumption to their dancing and performing. Below several of them reflect on their experiences as celebrity dancers from the creative process to performing onstage as well as share some advice for future celebrity dancers following in their dance steps.
What was the performance experience like?
It was so much fun! I was very excited to show off our [partner Madison Pineda] hard work and style to the audience. — Veranda L’Ni (Cleveland’s Tallest Drag Queen) Wonderful, supportive, so much fun! — Amanda Cole (Executive Director, Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce) It was an amazing experience from the beginning rehearsals to the final performance. I truly appreciated [partner] David Shimotakahara’s expertise and confidence in teaching me to learn and perform a routine beyond my comfort zone. In fact, though David called me a Ferrari; he is actually a Maserati himself! — Terri Bradford Eason (Senior Director, Advancement Equity Initiatives, The Cleveland Foundation)
I must commend the staff for making the celebrities feel comfortable. Creating such a positive connection with the celebrities only happens with a tremendous amount of effort. Kudos to everyone who made me comfortable and willing to test myself. — Felton Thomas (Executive Director, CEO, Cleveland Public Library)
What was the most challenging aspect of your dance number?
Learning so much choreography, but that was the challenge I asked for. Maddie did an amazing job teaching and adjusting it for me. — Amanda Cole
The most challenging aspect was learning how to be lifted and dipped by my partner during the performance. — Terri Bradford Eason
My partner Teagan got COVID so we missed a couple rehearsals that would have made our number more challenging I think. — Ryan Clopton-Zymler (Co-founder and consultant with Sage & Maven LLC) The most challenging aspect of the dance number was doing what’s called a “Butt roll”. I appreciated that my daughter [Marissa] and my partner Nicole wanted to challenge me and didn’t choreograph an easy dance number. — Felton Thomas
Finding out how Madison and I each translated dance and figuring out how to meet up in the middle in creating and learning our routine. — Veranda L’Ni
What was the most rewarding aspect of your It Takes Two! experience? I was able to inspire colleagues, community partners, fellow board members, family, and friends to support this event and I was honored and humbled to win 1st place. — Terri Bradford Eason
Getting to work with the incredible “Maddie P.” to help raise funds for Groundworks’ amazing programs and events. — Veranda L’Ni Dancing with my daughter. — Felton Thomas
Getting a chance to perform again was really great. It was nice to participate in something like that again. — Ryan Clopton-Zymler
Do you have any humorous anecdotes that happened during the creative process and/or performance that you want to share? We had fun coming up with Maddie P’s drag persona name Violet Vermouth, giving her a blonde wig and watching her transform from a mild mannered dancer into a vixen! — Veranda L’Ni
The most humorous moment was when I told David that I would not be able to wear a “red” dress as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, my preference was to perform in a pink flapper dress. The great news is he made it happen! — Terri Bradford Eason
What advice do you have for future It Takes Two! Celebrity Dancers?
Accept the opportunity with a willingness to push yourself and trust the process and the great dancers from Groundworks. — Felton Thomas
Let go of your inhibitions and dance like nobody’s watching! — Veranda L’Ni
Just accept that you’re going to be nervous about the performance and try to pack the place with as many supportive faces as possible. Trust your partner, they aren’t going to judge you. — Ryan Clopton-Zymler
I have people I’d elect but when I mention it they think they have to learn so much dance. I’ve been letting them know the dancers are very responsive to the interest, personality, and ability of each Celebrity Dancer. — Amanda Cole Have fun, enjoy the dance experience, and remind your contacts to vote early and often! — Terri Bradford Eason
** SAVE THE DATE ** Experience the Benefit Gala like no other It Takes Two! 2023 Saturday, MAY 13, 2023 Details to come at groundworksdance.org
Photo Credits
(Top) Partial It Takes Two! 2022 cast. Photo by Charlie Adams.
All other Photos by Mark Horning
(Left side top – bottom) Amanda Cole and GroundWorks’s Maddie Hanson. GroundWorks’s Madison Pineda and Veranda L’Ni GroundWorks’s Teagan Reed and Ryan Clopton-Zymler
(Right side top – bottom) Terri Bradford Eason and GroundWorks’s David Shimotakahara GroundWorks’s Nicole Hennington with Felton Thomas and Marissa Thomas