THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610180199
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Janella La Bouve
LENGTH: 77 lines
Alexis Sams has appeared in more than 30 performances of ``Nutcracker Suite'' with the Old Dominion University Ballet and she has loved every one of them.
``When I question myself about what I want to do with my life, dance has always been my only answer,'' said Sams, a Great Bridge High School senior. ``It takes a lot of belief in yourself.''
The demands on her time are great. Sams practices from 1 1/2 to five hours, six days a week.
What other sacrifices are involved in the regimen of the dancer?
``Sleep,'' Sams said, and ``a lot of home-cooked meals.''
Time for homework and dating are limited, too.
``You have to be very dedicated and willing to sacrifice all the football games and dances because you have to go to rehearsal,'' she added.
She has learned that it's important to exercise a certain amount of control over her emotions.
``There's no room for sensitivity in the dance world because there's a great deal of constructive criticism that a dancer should be able to take,'' she said. ``It's part of learning and should not be taken personally. I'm able to pull that off now, but I've had to work on that over the years.''
She also spends a lot of time and energy mastering the technical aspects of her art.
``Things such as holding up your diaphragm and your stomach and breathing through the upper part of your chest,'' she said. ``You have to remember to turn your legs out from the thigh, point your feet to the fullest and do all of this in a graceful manner.''
Arms should be held nicely without showing any tension.
``The arms are one of the most important things for balance,'' she said. ``Especially when you're standing on one leg, it's important to hold the arms out and not let them droop or fall.''
Stamina is important, too.
``If you just dance with all your strength and stamina, the dance looks really tight and stiff,'' she said. ``When you bring grace into it, the dance becomes pleasant to the eye and enjoyable. A dancer's grace is the way she expresses herself.''
Sams honed her skills during the summer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance.
Although she's still undecided about which college she'll attend, her top priority is clear: ``I want to dance in a major ballet company,'' she said.
Full name: Alexis Sams
Hometown: ``I grew up in Norfolk. We moved to Chesapeake 2 1/2 years ago.''
Fond childhood memories: ``Playing with my older cousin, Abena. She was like my big sister, and I do miss that a lot.''
Occupation: ``Senior at Great Bridge High School''
Hobbies: ``Dancing, hiking and cooking. I don't really have time for anything else. But I don't regret not having a lot of time.''
Last book read: ``God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater'' by Kurt Vonnegut
Describe yourself as a color: ``Purple. I've always thought of purple as a deep and mysterious color, and I am sometimes mysterious.''
If you could be any animal, what would it be? ``I think I would be a cat, because I step softly, and when I sleep I curl up in a little ball. Cats have sort of an innocence and gentleness about them, but on the other hand they can be cunning and clever.''
What irritates you the most? ``People who cut me off when I'm driving or when I'm running late. That irritates me a lot.''
Favorite song: ``Hideaway'' by Stanley Clarke
Favorite movie: ``White Nights'' starring Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``To make my skin more clear.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Three Amigos
Favorite way to spend a day: ``Going for a nice hike in the woods after a long rehearsal.''
What would you choose for a last meal?
``A Caesar salad with a big grilled chicken breast on top.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER by CNB