The Chocolate Church Arts Center (CCAC) begins 2019 with an original modern ballet, “The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow,” created by Eliza Rudalevige and directed by Ashley Steeves, dancer, choreographer, teacher, and co-founder of Resurgence Dance Company. Performances begin Jan. 4.

“The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow” follows two parallel stories of grief and loss. The Girl laments the passage of her Grandmother, a woman she took care of in her declining years. As The Girl sinks deeper into her grief, she loses her purpose, her Shadow.

The Child also has a sad story - she comes from a home full of abuse and neglect. Her Mother chooses her Partner over The Child, leaving The Child no choice but to leave. The Girl and The Child find themselves together in nature and their paths entangle.

Will the Shadow ever return?

Funding was, in part, by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 and 11, Saturday, Jan. 5 and 12; one 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12/students and $16/adults. Call the CCAC box office at 442-8455.

The Chocolate Church Arts Center is at 804 Washington Street in Bath.