'Troupers' Prepare for Duty

War is hell, but life's a dance. And inside Cynthia King's Prospect Ave. , her troupe is preparing for a performance that may lie somewhere in the middle.

King is leading the charge on the upcoming Stars and Stripes-themed show "Troupers" to be performed at Long Island University's Kumble Theater next month—a fast-paced program that runs the gamut stylistically, from break dance to ballet, set to music from Tchaikovsky to Jimi.  

"It's the contrast of the returning veterans and those still overseas," said King, who has been molding dancers young and old for a decade, about this year's theme.

The studio's pre-school group kicks the show off with Hendrix's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and a handful of dancers portraying homeless veterans, some of whom have lost limbs.

All told, the stage will see 300 dancers, between 500-600 costumes with a mix of elements: marching, break dancers in camouflage—including her two sons—and a grand finale with 25 ballet dancers sporting red, white and blue costumes.

"I like to do a lot of roller coaster rides for my show," she said.

"I always do have a cutting edge, current event thread through the pieces. One of the teachers suggested Stars and Stripes and it all evolved from there," said King, adding that they're doing "a lot of extra dress rehearsals."

There will be six shows starting April 12 and running through that weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the studio's website where the full performance schedule is also available.

King has lived in Kensington for two decades and after years of dancing and teaching at local schools, she chose to open the studio on her own—one which expanded into the property next door last fall.

"I decided I needed my own space. I thought the neighborhood would certainly support a studio like this," said King, who also makes and sells vegan ballet shoes, with synthetic leather soles. 

The staff is composed of King, who has danced since she was 4-years-old, along with ten professional dancers teaching students who hail from all parts Brooklyn—and they take their dancing seriously.

There's currently a waiting list to enroll, King said, adding that she will begin taking applications for new students in May as almost five dozen pre-kindergarten slots will be opening up.

"There's great dance in Brooklyn," she said. "We're not the only school, but it's not for recreational dancers."

"But we do have a wild side, too."