ShowBiz Kidz Prepare For National Competition

A group of ten young dancers from Shelton's company are headed to the national "Turn It Up" competition in Maryland next month (July 18-22), the last stop on a full season that began back in January.

"The kids all work really hard, they're conditioned pretty well. They start practicing and learning all the dance numbers in August, and then compete a full season from January to May. They are here three times a week or more -- they have to be, or they won't be ready," said Debbie Donovan, owner of That's Showbiz and teacher for 25 years.

The dancers, ranging in ages 5 to seventeen, were chosen earlier this year at a regional competition run by judges from the hit television show "So You Think You Can Dance." The team will be taking a total of 33 routines to nationals, including contemporary lyrical styles to tap to musical theater.

The group says they're hoping to take home platinum awards, the highest you can get. Donovan said they've already won multiple high honors throughout the season and are hopeful they can keep it up in Maryland. However, it's not all about winning.

"I believe the most important part is they do their absolute best, and that includes performing as well as coming to class on time, being part of the team and being dedicated to the art," Donovan said.

With much of their after-school social time spent in the studio, the group has become quite close, referring to each other as a "different kind of family."

"This is really like our second home, and Debbie is our second mom," said Ewa Leszczynski, who dances with her sister Marta both at That's ShowBiz and on the pom-pon squad.

When asked what the most difficult part of being on a competitive dance team is, both the members and their coach made no hesitation in answering with: technique.

"Technique in the dance world is knowing all your basics -- stretching, flexibility and ballet terminology -- and executing them properly so that you can go on to be a fabulous dancer," Donovan said.

As for the most rewarding part of the experience, Donovan said the memories made are worth far more than trophies won. And although she hopes her students will always continue to keep dance in their lives, she wants them to pursue other things as well.

"Dance is a very difficult business and maybe one out of 1,000 might get a job in the field. You hope your students will and that’s my goal for some of them, not all of them," she said.

That's ShowBiz is known as a "triple threat" school, offering classes in dance, acting and singing. In addition to regular competition schedule including nationals, students perform at yearly recitals, build a float for Seymour's Thanksgiving Day parade and perform at a Christmas show in December at the Stratford Theatre. They attend numerous workshops in Connecticut and New York throughout the year, and next May they'll have a show on Carnival cruise ships.

Though the official season is coming to and end, That's ShowBiz is now offering summer classes and a two-week theatre camp. For more information about joining, visit their website (www.thatsshowbiz.biz) or contact Debbie Donovan via e-mail: showbizdd@aol.com

Members of the competitive dance team include: Samantha Heenan (Milford), Molly Donovan (Stratford), Maryann Lonegran (Milford), Marta Leszczynski (Shelton), Ewa Leszczynski (Shelton), Courtney Salinski (Shelton), Matt Batterton (Seymour), Jeffrey Daniels (Shelton), Ali Faltico (Stratford), Kaelyn Batterton (Seymour), Charlotte Masi (Milford), Cathy Baotic (Shelton), Mea Grant (Stratford), Lexi Zyskowski (Woodbridge), Robert Zyskowski (Woodbridge), Nick Fine (Shelton).