There’s a lot that goes down on the dance stage in the latest production of Dance Nation at WET.  There’s dance, of course. But in between the rehearsals and the competitions, there is a group of 13-year-old girls who are discovering, exploring and claiming their nascent power.

In this case, the 13-year-olds are actually played by adults. Playwright Clare Barron’s script specifies a multigenerational cast and WET has assembled a strong cast that pulls off the preadolescent shift.

In the heart of the Midwest, these dancers from Liverpool, Ohio are gearing up for a run at the Nationals dance competition. But first they must win in Akron, Philadelphia and Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey at the Boogie Down Grand Prix. That’s right, the Boogie Down Grand Prix! All of this for a trip to Nationals held in Tampa.

For inspiration, Dance Teacher Pat (Nik Doner), directs their gaze to the wall of pictures and medals of past winners. Will they reach the heights of the revered Sabina who was discovered by a casting agent and later danced on Broadway? All eyes focus on Amina (Sofía Raquel Sánchez) who appears to be the star pupil and teacher favorite.

Live, Love, Dance

But first, the dance must be cast, and it’s a doozy. Pat informs the young dancers that the performance will be set on the legacy of Gandhi. The big question is, who will play Gandhi? Perhaps the bigger question for the 13-year-old dancers is, who is Gandhi?

Ultimately the lead dance role goes to Connie (Varsha Raghavan). Lead dancer is a bit of a misnomer as the role consists mostly of sitting silently on the floor. In a moment of inspiration, Pat adds a last minute character to the dance – the Spirit of Gandhi. Who, or what, is the Spirit of Gandhi? Pat struggles for comparisons before landing on the likes of Martin Luther King…and John Lennon.

This role, won by Zuzu (Rheanna Atendido), actually involves dancing.  Her best friend Amina is excited for her and encouraging. Yet, tensions by both can be felt just below the surface.

When not rehearsing, the girls and the lone boy, Luke (Mikey Flores), talk about what I can only assume most 13-year girls talk about: boys, menstruation, penises, masturbation. But more importantly, and most significant to the heart of Dance Nation is the discovery of their power. And, the struggles to keep that power.

Girl Power

They are fully growing into themselves and they are keenly aware the world is open to all kinds of possibilities. At this age, they rule. But it is also at this age that the world can start to conspire against their hopes and dreams. Mixed messages by adults, by friends, by media, all take a toll.

In one heart wrenching scene, Maeve (Maggie L. Rogers) confides in another dancer about her sensation of flying. If she just concentrates she can find herself flying above her bed, through her house and even across the Great Lakes. Maeve’s sense of power and freedom in flight is palpable. The future is hers. But later, in a flash-forward, Maeve dispassionately declares to the audience that someday she’ll forget she ever flew. And, in fact, she did just that.

Despite the heartbreaking proclamations, Dance Nation is filled with hilariously one-liners. And, in one of its twisted turns, the Gandhi dance turns into a macabre zombie dance. All of this keeps this finalist for 2019’s Pulitzer Prize in drama moving at a breakneck pace. And, just like a 13-year-old’s hopes and dreams, WET’s production of Dance Nation cannot be denied.

Dance Nation

Dance Nation at WET runs through February 3 with performances at 12 Ave Arts. For additional production information and show times visit: http://washingtonensemble.org/