By Christopher Blank - The Commercial Appeal -

No matter what style of choreography is presented in a Ballet Memphis program, each day at the rehearsal studio begins the same way. The dancers take class. They start at the barre then move to the center of the room, working through the same techniques most learned as children.

The rudiments of ballet are at the forefront of "Interiorworks 12," a program of 10 short works created by the dancers themselves as a coda to the season, which comes to an end after tonight's performance in the studio.

The pieces are all fairly lightweight. Some are danced to pop music, some to classical. There are Crayola-colored confections and quirky-costumed abstractions. The common element is clean, precise ballet technique that comes straight from their morning rituals.

For folks who follow Ballet Memphis closely, the exhibition is something of a gift. The intimate setting puts the dancers in front of the audience like objects in a museum. Whether it's the close scrutiny or the excitement of summer vacation, the dancers deliver the goods.

Liliana Muhlbach rapturously pirouetted through her balletic solo, "Reminiscent Of," to the circusy music of Karl Jenkins. Crystal Brothers concluded her Spanish-flavored dance, "Sola," with a formidable leg extension that was as sturdy and accurate as Diana's arrow. At front and center of the trio, "3 in Six," Steven McMahon was an imposing expanse of moving parts.

If one piece captured the spirit of the evening (that is, an outgrowth of what happens daily in class), it was Rafael Ferreras' opener, "9:29," which featured two couples -- Alice Cao and Marcelino Juarez, and Virginia Pilgrim and Brandon Ramey -- in a passionate work which uses a barre (or handrail) for a prop. It becomes, at various times, an aide and a barrier. The dance alludes to the interpersonal relationships that evolve within the workplace (the bar separates Pilgrim and Ramey, but also joins them together). The metaphor was strengthened by the dancers' execution of the movement -- intense and captivating.

"Interiorworks" showcases the stylistic preferences of the company members, in groupings that appeal to them (rather than combos that look best to choreographers). Seeing the crisp, ebullient styles of dancers such as Hideko Karasawa and Alice Cao alongside the chameleonic energies of Leigh Lijoi, Julie Niekrasz and Rachel Shumake allows viewers to appreciate how well the company uses its diversity in mainstage productions.

'Interiorworks 12'

The performance concludes at 8 tonight at the Ballet Memphis Studio, 7950 Trinity Road. Donations are accepted at the door. Call 737-7322.