Menlowe Ballet's leap of faith with Michael Lowe

In the airy main studio at the Menlo Park Academy of Dance, costumes and props are stacked neatly in a corner of the studio, and dancers sprawled around the perimeter stretch quietly as Michael Lowe rehearses his fledgling company Menlowe Ballet for its spring season.

Dancer Ikolo Griffin tosses a wide-brimmed hat in the air, testing out new tricks for his role as the Ringmaster in Lowe's "Cirque," which will be on the program along with the choreographer's popular East-meets-West ballet "Double Happiness" and a special appearance by Berkeley's Savage Jazz Dance Company. Even though Griffin is working on the sidelines, Lowe has an eye on him and comes over to help. With the flick of a wrist, Lowe easily flips the hat up onto his head.

"Freddie Franklin taught me that," he says offhandedly, referencing one of the great stars of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Menlowe Ballet's leap of faith with Michael Lowe