'Beautiful Monsters' Bring Dreams to Cerritos

Give yourself a treat this weekend by being transported to the hauntingly beautiful world of dreams.

Helios Dance Theater, the troupe renowned for their physically challenging choreography described by the Los Angeles Times as “breathtakingly fluid, gorgeously danced,” will be performing their critically acclaimed show, Beautiful Monsters, at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts this Saturday, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m.

Melissa Sandvig, one of the show’s performers, talked to Patch about the production and reflects on her life as a dancer. Sandvig is a 30-year-old Southern California native who captured the hearts of audiences around the nation as one of the top six dancers on Season 5 of Fox's popular show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Can you tell me what Beautiful Monsters is all about?

In Beautiful Monsters there’s an underlying story line of dreams. There are mixed media elements including a short animation that Chris Miller (director of Shrek the Third) created and a voice over of little kids talking about their dreams -- both good dreams and nightmares. In the beginning I’m the “mortal” of the show and I’m trying to stay awake, and the other dancers are “dream encroachers,” or shadows of things that are coming into my dreams. There’s a slightly vampiric theme. It’s beautifully done with all original music and set design and visually it’s amazing.

Vampires? Our culture has recently become sort of obsessed with them. 

I think there’s a certain mystery and romance to the idea of vampires and living forever. Laura Miller (founder, choreographer and artistic director of Helios) had this idea before the whole Twilight thing came about because she used to have dreams and nightmares about vampires, so it was personal for her.

Where else have you performed this show?

We had a sold out performance in UCLA’s Royce Hall last October, and we started working on it around May of last year. Every step has been originally choreographed.

How has it been working with the other members of the show?

We’re fortunate to have a very tight, talented group of dancers. We love each other, which makes it so easy to have this creative process work well. We’re so close through our dancing, and we’ve all grown close as friends as well. It is like another family. 

What can someone coming to the show expect to see?  

I don’t even call this modern dance because there are so many different kinds of modern dance. There are classical lines in it, and being a ballerina, I can relate to that. People can expect a beautiful experience -- a thought provoking performance that will make them think about what they dream. It’s left open to interpretation so some see things differently than others, and we’ve gotten great response about everything from the costumes to the scenery.

As a dancer, what sets this show apart from other productions you’ve been a part of?

The dancing is really challenging. The women have to be just as strong as the men, which I think a lot of people aren’t used to. There are many times when I’m lifting a man. It’s very impressive to watch.

So you had to acquire a new set of techniques?

Laura loves all modern dancing movements to the extreme -- full back bends and full releases forward. Being a ballet dancer, I’m just used to being totally upright, but with this modern movement you have to be used to a much wider range of motion. It’s something that I’ve had to work on, which is great because it’s given me a whole different movement quality. Helios kind of molded me into a modern dancer.

How did you first hear about Helios?

My first point teacher at Long Beach Ballet danced with them. It sparked my interest because it looked like something really different from traditional ballet while still having a little ballet in there. So I knew about it when I was in high school. I knew it was legit.

Have you worked with people that weren’t legit?  

Definitely. Anybody can choreograph and make something up. I’ve done my fair share of free dancing in Los Angeles because everyone’s trying to make it, but I’m at a point now where I just really want to do the work that I appreciate.

So you’ve paid your dues?

That’s right! (Laughing) I have gone through those ranks and paid my dues, so now I can pick and choose, which is nice.

How do you feel about performing in the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts?

I love Cerritos, and I love the theater. It’s beautiful, and it’s right around the corner from my house, so it’s a great opportunity for my family and my students to come see me perform. When I was little, I used to go and see ballet companies when they would perform there. My parents were always great at taking us to see everything. I try not to take it for granted that I get to be the one on stage now.

What advice would you give to aspiring dancers?

Make sure you love what you do because it’s hard work, and it never stops being hard work. Being a dancer is a lifestyle, not just a hobby. Also, I didn’t have the perfect body when it came to being a ballet dancer, and for dancers who can relate to that, don’t ever give up or let somebody tell you that you can’t do it. I proved all those people wrong when I became a professional. If you truly love it and are willing to do the hard work, nobody can stop you.

Your career has taken you all over the world and on TV shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Glee. What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a dancer?

Being able to still do what I love. I love to travel and meet people who appreciate what I do. Getting applause after a performance is amazing, but having a chance to talk to people who I can motivate and inspire has been the biggest reward. I remember the people who inspired me when I was younger, and I think it’s important to have people you can look up to. I enjoy being that person who passes on love for dancing. It makes me happy.

Experience Beautiful Monsters at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts this Saturday, Feb. 19, at 8:00 PM. Tickets range from $29-$58 and can be purchased at the CCPA Ticket Office, www.cerritoscenter.com, or by calling (562) 467-8818.