Support a new home for the arts

Auditoriums and performing arts venues were commonplace in the Twin Cities, a place I called home for almost six years before coming to Storm Lake.

Now that northwest Iowa is home, I am disappointed I never took the time to see Cirque du Soleil's Dralion or Paris Opera Ballet's La Bayadere. The closest venues that can host such performances are lengthy drives away in Des Moines or Sioux City.

Performing arts, especially dance, are virtually non-existent here, and what is available is limited. As a classical ballet student, trained by some of the most talented current and former professional dancers in Saint Paul, it has been a hard adjustment.

Now as a dance instructor, I have seen the benefits students reap from learning a disciplined performing arts form: physical and mental strength, commitment to improvement and self-confidence.

Since learning in the studio and performing for an audience are two different skills, a quality performance space (and floor) is key.

The ability to draw working dance professionals for performance is not only important from a cultural standpoint, but an inspirational one, as well.

As a high school senior, I had the chance to perform alongside professionals in the Minnesota Ballet's Nutcracker. Maybe it was because I was awestruck by the grand pas de deux, a duet between the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince, or the glittery pink tutu, but I continued my dance education during college, which was not an easy feat.

I want my students to have the same type of opportunity I had, something a new performing arts auditorium can help accomplish.

By no means are the visual arts "fluff" or unnecessary-- whether or not students choose to stick with them after high school, they provide real-life skills.

* Ashley Miller is a member of the Pilot news staff. Reach the columnist at amiller@stormlakepilottribune.com.