History of Ringwood Ballet Group - 5

Costume Ladies

There has to be some space dedicated to costume ladies, they are the most misunderstood members of the ballet committee. They frequently lack the communication skills required to convince a mother that a newspaper pattern and an obviously inadequate piece of material are all that is needed to produce a delightful rabbit or whatever the current need is. People ring them. As the performance draws closer, the level of tension rises. Children hassle their parents because their costume is not finished. Then the mother rushes into the studio to complain about the impossibility of their task.

At the dress rehearsal of "Asian Suite" I saw a group of ladies crack. The girls on stage mostly seniors, were unhappy with their costumes which exposed more skin than usual. They looked grumpy and sweaty, the very opposite of the seductive demeanour Mrs Morrow was aiming for. When their headgear arrived it failed to fit - this was when the costume contingent in the front row broke down. They dissolved into uncontrollable hysterical mirth.

Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, Ticket Secretaries, Representatives to Civic Meetings, Committee people and parents generally have worked tirelessly for the Group, certainly they have had the incentive that it was all in the interests of their children, nevertheless it was and is, very constant work. The fathers and in some cases brothers, have not escaped either. With sets to build and props to produce there has been a job for all. Some parents have been seen as stage performers and much fun has been had by all.

Praise must be recorded in relation to the members who served as office bearers on the committee during the formative years. They were completely dedicated to achieving the reality of the dream of a ballet school in the community. Year by year there was an almost routine swapping of positions but they at all times continued to work extremely hard in fulfilling their dream irrespective of the office held.

With the conclusion of this history, it is so reassuring to find as in the past, parents willing to take their places on the committee and attend to the many tasks necessary in the successful running of a ballet school. The school is celebrating the 35 th year since establishment. Even the students who did not go on to dance, must have benefited in later years from the poise and self discipline they gained in their ballet years.

he Ringwood Ballet Group Inc. is unique in that it is a non-profit organisation operating in its own premises. Long may it continue.

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