I’m stepping back and reflecting on our two latest tours: both different and each filled with good memories… 

New York, WOW, I didn’t realized I missed dancing in a big city! It’s funny because we were only away for four days and let me tell you, it felt like weeks apart. Thinking back, it all started out dancing with “Dance Theater of Harlem,” having a teacher yelling, “What are ya’ll waiting on? Go for it!” Then, “Take that risk, you know you need to take!” Personally, dancing in New York was invigorating. Then, travelling to “Steps”  another morning to take a wonderful class from Elena Kunikova, who set Paquita on us, followed by the perfect warm-up class from Jane Wood (our ballet mistress) before our first performance, it just set the tone for the NYC tour. Not only were some of us allowing ourselves to get an outlook on how versatile individual styles are in New York, we were able to get a feel of different movement by surrounding ourselves with dancers from all over as well. The program in NYC had us dancing first, then, a very organic artistic piece by two former Alvin Alley dancers full of creative and free movement. The performances concluded with one final company dancing a very stylistic Russian character dance, with plenty of stomping and clapping; it was really interesting and rather delightful to watch!  Sometimes we don’t realize how much we can learn from watching other individuals move and dance.

 Touring to NYC felt like a breath of fresh air…even though the air as we all know isn’t that fresh in NYC. There’s so much we can each gain from being on tour and the challenge lies with what we do with it. Personally, NYC gave me that jolt, or a gentle reminder of how being different, an individual, breathes freedom for your desires. The four days were shear inspiration, motivation, and a reminder of how beautiful we all are as individuals.  As cheesy as that sounds, it’s true. Sometime we get so used to a certain lifestyle, the way things are day to day and we forget about our similarities and also how different we are from the person standing beside us. It’s crazy how receptive New Yorkers are to everything: our mannerisms, our personal styles, life choices; anything you can imagine, New Yorkers accept!  There are so many individual styles and personalities in New York, and this wonderfully craziness brought a lot of excitement the entire time.  As excited as we were, our shows were a little nerve racking too.  We knew former dancers, directors, editors, critics, you name it, were out there watching for both of our Sold Out performances.  Every one of us just wanted to go out there with all the qualities of beauty and grace we possess, and to just take the risk and DANCE!

 Vegas may not have given us as much freedom to perhaps explore the sights, but it definitely provided another opportunity to learn from one another. A combined, three ballet company effort to each perform one section of George Balanchine’s masterful three-part Jewels (Balanchine) was a great experience for all three companies.  One of the dancers from Nevada Ballet was speaking with me and said, “It’s wonderful dancing and working with other dancers from different companies its somewhat like ‘show and tell’.” At first I hesitated because I wasn’t sure what was meant. I hated show and tell in school, someone would spend 10-15 minutes just boring us to death bragging! But, after I thought about it, I realized what she said was true: each of us was there to do just that, show our stuff!

 We wanted to show our stuff, learn and grow as artists. It’s funny, because the first couple of days each company remained separate from one another. It reminded me of school in the sense that we’ll have our clique and no one wanted to open up at first and let anyone else in. As the weekend went on and we all started taking classes together and talking with one another we realized this isn’t a competition we’re here to dance together to support each other and put the pieces of Jewels together.  By the time the last performance came around all three companies we’re cheering one another on and supporting each other as much as we could! George Balanchine Jewels (Balanchine) is such a beautiful Balanchine ballet and I’m so honored that Ballet West is going to be able to perform it in its entirety for our home audience next April!

 Many of us come away with different experiences while on tour.  And I think each of us have learned from the NYC and Vegas tours about finding that creative individual within us, one which will make us become even more of that stronger and unique dancer we each hope to be. This new fresh infusion and outlook is great for energy that we’re all looking forward to putting into our performances during The Lottery!

 Here are a few photos of Ballet West Artists, photos by BW Soloist Beau Pearson.

 ~ Kat ~

Katherine Lawrence in Helen Pickett BUT NEVER DOUBT I LOVE

Haley Henderson Smith and Easton Smith in Jiri Kylian’s PETITE MORT

Owen Gaj in Nicolo Fonte’s BOLERO

Christopher Ruud and Arolyn Williams in Jiri Kylian’s PETITE MORT

Christiana Bennett and Beau Pearson in DIAMONDS  George Balanchine (c) The George Balanchine Trust
(Photo taken by Amy Potter)

Tonight we open our 2012-2013 season in Salt Lake City with our annual Gala.  I think this is one of the best Gala programs compared to any other year that I’ve been with the company.  The show opens with the Ballet West Academy performing Defile, then Ballet West II performs Christopher Ruud’s new work, Without Fall.  The main company closes the evening with the second half of Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort, La Esmeralda pas de deux, the pas de deux from George Balanchine’s Diamonds, and Nicolo Fonte’s Bolero.  Thanks to Amy Potter for taking a picture of me and Christiana during last night’s dress rehearsal.

Ballet West II in Christopher Ruud’s WITHOUT FALL

Elizabeth McGrath, Haley Henderson Smith & Sayaka Ohtaki in Jiri Kylian’s PETITE MORT

Beckanne Sisk in ESMERELDA PAS DE DEUX

Christiana Bennett & Beau Pearson in DIAMONDS by George Balanchine (c) The George Balanchine Trust

Katherine Lawrence & Michael Bearden in Nicolo Fonte’s BOLERO

Emily Adams, Jacqueline Straughan & Allison Debona in Nicolo Fonte’s BOLERO

-Beau

The tour to Sin City was extremely successful.  We continued to put the Ballet West name on the map through our dancing.  I think people continue to be surprised by the quality of dancers Ballet West has, coming from a city that isn’t a New York or a San Francisco.  The audience responded extremely well to us.  It’s always a nice feeling to share your art, and for your work to be appreciated in places other than your home.  Not only did I enjoy dancing, I really liked meeting and supporting the other companies.  It was really a privilege to share the stage with such amazing artists.

Adam Sklute rehearsing Emily Adams and Adrian Fry in EMERALDS by George Balanchine (c) The George Balanchine Trust

Our days typically consisted of ballet class and a rehearsal.  In the evening we either had a dress rehearsal or a show with the exception to Sunday since we had a matinee.  Our down time was mostly spent eating and relaxing.  Some found their way to the strip or around the neighborhood for some entertainment.

Ballet West dancers in a tech rehearsal for EMERALDS by George Balanchine (c) The George Balanchine Trust

Reynolds Hall is a beautiful theater, seating 2,050 patrons a night.  The design of the theater provides an intimate feel because of the five tiers that wrap around the room.  An unfamiliar theater can present many challenges for dancers on tour.  The floor can be slippery, or the house can be too dark, or the lights can make us feel like left is right and up is down.  Luckily, we didn’t have to deal with any of that, which is a real luxury.  For more info on The Smith Center, click here.

The dancer’s view in the Reynolds Hall

-Beau

Last week, the cast of Paquita traveled to New York City to perform at City Center.  Elena Kunikova was with the dancers to run rehearsals and watch the shows.  Alastair Macaulay of The New York Times writes: “The staging of Marius Petipa’s choreography is by Elena Kunikova, who has animated the all-female corps de ballet with verve and charm; I have seen more illustrious troupes dance this with less color.”  Go Ballet West!

Yesterday, the Emeralds cast arrived in the city of lights (and loud slot machine noises), Las Vegas.  Along with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theater, we will be performing Balanchine’s Jewels.  Ballet West will open the evening with Emeralds, NBT will then perform Rubies and PNB will close the night with Diamonds.  I’m really excited to be a part of this opportunity; three companies, collaborating together to perform Jewels as a whole has never been done before.  This big event was put together to celebrate NBT’s opening season at their brand new theater, the Smith Center.

Last night, the three companies gathered for a meet and greet at the Vintner Grill.  It was really nice to meet the dancers from the other companies and to connect with friendly faces I don’t see very often.  NBT actually has five previous Ballet West trainees in their company, not to mention former Ballet West II artist Kaleigh Schock.  After the meet and greet, a few of us made our way to the strip for a bit of entertainment and dinner.  The rest of the week will be spent doing what we do … dancing!  Cirque De Soliel, you’ve met your match (sarcastic evil eyes).

Ballet West Gals with Adrian Fry & Liz Murphy outside our hotel

-Beau

Posting about how busy we are here at Ballet West is becoming a bit repetitive, however, every week of this season has been nonstop for the dancers (and staff).  This last week Elena Kunikova was back in the studios, coaching the dancers on Paquita for the New York tour (Fall For Dance).  Elena also taught selections from Paquita to our trainee girls.  Elena is the type of person you want around all the time.  Her spirit is uplifting and her coaching always leaves our dancers looking more refined.  Click here to view a previous post on Elena.

Nicolo Fonte

Our new resident choreographer, Nicolo Fonte, was also in da house this week, cleaning up Bolero.  Working with Nicolo is … How do I put it?  Uuum, Hilarious?  Yeah, that’s it … Hilarious (in a good way).  Nicolo is probably the funniest person I’ve worked with in the studio.  Don’t get me wrong, he works us like crazy.  The dancers are lucky to have someone who is not only extremely fun to work with, but someone who works hard and creates great ballets as well.

Val Caniparoli working with our dancers

Last but certainly never least, Val Caniparoli was also with us, creating his new work, The Lottery.  Val is creating a ballet as eerie and nerve-racking as Shirley Jackson’s short story.  The dancers will pick ballots from the box on stage.  Everyone has to be prepared choreographically and emotionally to be stoned to death.  Nothing is predetermined.  During a rehearsal a few weeks ago, I pulled the mark from the box.  My adrenaline rushed through my body and I really felt the emotion of being singled out.  The feeling was amazing!  Ballet West is so privileged to have this work created on us.

-Beau