Finding hope in spite of the suffering all around you: That's the inspirational message of the ballet performance "Hiding Place" presented by Ballet Magnificat! on Tuesday at Fellowship Bible Church.
Starting at 7 p.m., the Mississippi-based Christian ballet company's Omega touring group presents a stirring tale based on a true story. Set in the Netherlands during 1944, "Hiding Place" chronicles what happens when Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, two sisters, assist Jewish neighbors in hiding from the Nazis.
When this hideaway they built in their home is discovered, the sisters are sent to the Ravensbrck concentration camp in this ballet choreographed by Jiri Sebastian Voborsky.
"It's the story of what happened to them as a result," said Erin Beaver, tour director for the dance company.
The sisters show bravery, strength and courage, in addition to the love and friendship they offer to their friends as they sought to protect them. Ultimately, Beaver said, it's a powerful story of forgiveness with the surviving sister giving this to her Nazi persecutors.
"She was able to do that because she needed the forgiveness of Jesus in her own life," Beaver said of a story she finds to be dramatic, interesting and engaging. As the story unfolds, she says, in some respects you forget you're watching a ballet.
"There's different points in the story that I think everyone can relate to," Beaver said. Also, hope in this play overrides the challenges, she said.
"The choreography is done in such a way that it really kind of ushers you into the story," Beaver said of the way movement and dance convey the story, rather than dialogue.
Richard Hornock, senior pastor at Fellowship Bible Church, explains that, ultimately, the sisters and their father were sent to a concentration camp, the father dying on the way there. One sister died at the camp.
"That's the story, and what makes it really special is it's a story of redemption, unconditional love, the love of God motivating her and her family to reach out and show unconditional love and compassion to people that needed safety and security," Hornock said.
He hopes the public who sees the show will experience an important message about the power of faith, that "there's no pit deep enough where the love of God cannot reach." God brings purpose out of this tragedy, he said.
"I hope people see that, and I hope they see the gospel of Christ in that message," Hornock said, noting Ballet Magnificat! consists of first class Christian artists.
This group is one of two touring companies for Ballet Magnificat!, which was founded by artistic director Kathy Thibodeaux in 1986. She founded the ballet's school of the arts three years later. Professional dancers from around the world have performed for Ballet Magnificat!, including dancers who've been with the San Francisco Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy.
The touring companies have traveled the world to perform, and this group coming to Texarkana has 13 dancers, said Beaver, noting the technical excellence with which they dance.
"It really is something that their heart is in as well, which brings a unique aspect to it," she said, adding that they feel privileged to perform "Hiding Place" here in Texarkana.
"We've been honored to be able to perform it on a variety of different continents," she said.
(Tickets: $10 minimum donation. More info: Call Fellowship Bible Church at 903-794-2500.)