Smile therapy: Then and now

Tom Hawley, The Monroe News
·3 min read
The River Raisin Ballet Company high school dancers pose for a video clip by director Gail Choate-Pettit as part of 'Smile Therapy' because of their production Aladdin is postpone to April 16, 17, and two shows on April 18 due to the coronavirus at the River Raisin Centre of the Arts in 2020. The show was cancelled in April that year.
The River Raisin Ballet Company high school dancers pose for a video clip by director Gail Choate-Pettit as part of 'Smile Therapy' because of their production Aladdin is postpone to April 16, 17, and two shows on April 18 due to the coronavirus at the River Raisin Centre of the Arts in 2020. The show was cancelled in April that year.

It was March 2020. The coronavirus had started to affect Monroe County as events were canceled, places were closing, teachers were preparing packets for their students. I can still remember to this day what photographs I was taking that first week.

Saturday, March 14, 2020, I attended a special rehearsal for "Aladdin" by the River Raisin Ballet at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts.

Tom Hawley photographer The Monroe News
Tom Hawley photographer The Monroe News

Director Gail Choate-Pettit was taking a video of the high school dancers with big smiles holding the "Aladdin" signs as part of her “smile therapy” because their show was being postponed due to COVID-19.

“Dancers constantly strive for the elusive perfection of technique and artistry,” Gail Choate-Pettit said. “Sometimes I find the need to break that focus to encourage everyone to feel lightness and create the ability to laugh and be happy in the moment.”

River Raisin Ballet Company senior dancers Hadley Himes, 13, with a big smile after being lifted by Ashrah Kelly, 15 (left) and Mariska Lewandowski, 15 (right) during a rehearsal of the ÒDesert WindsÓ in the cave scene of Aladdin at River Raisin Ballet Company of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.
River Raisin Ballet Company senior dancers Hadley Himes, 13, with a big smile after being lifted by Ashrah Kelly, 15 (left) and Mariska Lewandowski, 15 (right) during a rehearsal of the ÒDesert WindsÓ in the cave scene of Aladdin at River Raisin Ballet Company of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.

"The words 'smile therapy' have often been repeated in our rehearsals and classes over the years. Although, I am not sure my effort to bring lightness was effective in 2020," Choate-Pettit said.

After months of rehearsals, they had to put a stop to "Aladdin" one week before the performance in April 2020 because of pandemic restrictions.

“It was heartbreaking for everyone,” she said. "We kept hope month after month, but eventually had to let the show go."

Big smiles and laughter as dancer Ashrah Kelly, 15, spins Ella Linster, 13, while others laugh and smile as well, instructor Isabelle Arnold (left), Hadley Himes, and Nathan Glover during the rehearsal of desert winds in the cave scene of Aladdin at River Raisin Ballet Company of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.
Big smiles and laughter as dancer Ashrah Kelly, 15, spins Ella Linster, 13, while others laugh and smile as well, instructor Isabelle Arnold (left), Hadley Himes, and Nathan Glover during the rehearsal of desert winds in the cave scene of Aladdin at River Raisin Ballet Company of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.

Well, "Aladdin" is back this 2024 season, as 16 dancers from the 2020 show are among the cast back to fill the more advanced roles. Hadley Himes, who was one of the monkeys back then, now is one of the senior dancers at the age of 13. Her roles this year are a peacock, desert winds, sapphire lead and rainbow lead.  

“At the time, I was 9 years old and COVID had just become a thing. I didn’t really know what was going on because I was so young,” Hadley Himes said. “I just knew I did not like dancing in a mask. It was hard to breathe and I got tired quickly.

River Raisin Ballet Company of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts dance instructor Isabelle Arnold leads the choreography with the senior desert wind dancers for the cave scene of the production of Aladdin at River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.
River Raisin Ballet Company of the River Raisin Centre for the Arts dance instructor Isabelle Arnold leads the choreography with the senior desert wind dancers for the cave scene of the production of Aladdin at River Raisin Centre for the Arts in Monroe.

“I do remember Ms. Gail saying 'smile therapy' all the time. It made me feel a lot better. I know it also made the other dancers feel some kind of joy as well.”

In the cave scene of "Aladdin" this season, 11 dancers who had a variety of parts in 2020 are now cast as the desert wind senior dancers. Desert winds are choreographed by dance instructor Isabelle Arnold, both in 2020 and now.

River Raisin Ballet Company senior dancers Emily Belino, 16, (from left), Hadley Stansberry, 12, and Ellie Friedline, 13 chit chat with smiles as they start to practice as the desert wind dancers in the cave scene of Aladdin.
River Raisin Ballet Company senior dancers Emily Belino, 16, (from left), Hadley Stansberry, 12, and Ellie Friedline, 13 chit chat with smiles as they start to practice as the desert wind dancers in the cave scene of Aladdin.

“The desert wind dance shows the journey of Aladdin through the desert to the cave of wonders,” Isabelle Arnold said. “The costumes have a major influence on the choreography because the shirts have a lot of layers and almost look like sand flying. So, I am trying to also showcase that to add texture to the piece.”

“We all had to live in that sad moment together in 2020. As time passed, those junior and senior members transitioned to college, moving forward with their lives," Choate-Pettit said. “I hope they remember the RRCA fondly and hope that the essence of 'smile therapy' remains a cherished part of their lives."

“Ms. Gail always reminded us to keep smiling and that was something that always stuck with our studio,” Himes said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Smile Therapy: Then and now