Okay Lily, okay 9, it’s finally here! Tomorrow, after a month of rehearsals for the adults and many months of rehearsals for the students, we will be performing in the Washington Ballet Academy’s production of Sleeping Beauty.
I’m nervous!
I’m thrilled!
I’m some of each! But mostly I am honored to be a part of this project, featuring not only the Washington Ballet Academy students but guest artists Abby Jayne DeAngelo and Guillaume Basso in the principal roles. Both are former dancers of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and studio founders of Adage Ballet Academy in Seattle, WA. Four of their student dancers are also performing in the production.
Information about Sleeping Beauty, including a link to purchase tickets, can be found here:
https://www.washingtonballetacademy.org/tickets/p/f3h96fvjyetc441yxlnwktn3pmt2l7
Performing: “Sleeping Beauty,” the retelling of a French folktale by Charles Perrault, inspired Tchaikovsky’s ballet.
The timeless story of true love triumphing over evil seems the perfect choice for Valentine’s weekend.
With us performing as evil!
With a capital “E.”
A dirty job, but someone has to do it! The cast members, who will see me up close and personal on the Cordiner Hall stage, will be confronted with a face like this:
Performing: Creating the appearance of pure evil. . .
Yikes!
Obviously this picture does not include hair/headpiece and costume.
You’re frightening enough in a spa headband and fleece.
My hope is the makeup will project the evil personae of Carabosse all the way to the back row.
I’m still getting used to that name!
She’s the evil fairy Disney Studios calls Maleficent, the one we’ve been terrified of forever.
Playing the villain is the best kind of fun! Lots of action and hissing in people’s faces. In some cases I come very close to the other performers. Note: pick up Altoids before the show as a courtesy.
No other work inspires the joy I feel when performing. Every time I have this opportunity I am thankful for the training and grounding I’ve received from theater professionals- -in high school workshops at the Centrum Foundation (Port Townsend, WA), in college (Whitman, Walla Walla, WA) and with mentors from Seattle area theater companies. Also, for the opportunity to act in dozens of semi-professional and community theater productions, and as a presenter in Fort Walla Walla Museum’s Living History Program.
I am also deeply thankful for the creativity and professionalism of Washington Ballet Academy Director Caleb Leitch and Assistant Director Katie Janis, and helpful insights from Abby Jayne DeAngelo and Guillaume Basso of Adage Ballet Academy https://www.adageballet.com/. Under this creative team, I’ve acquired new skills and a deeper understanding of the dynamic art form that is ballet.
Performing is my happiest and most satisfying path of lifelong learning.
Mine as well.
Thank you, too, Lily, because you are where it all started.
Performing: Theater swept me off my feet in junior high and has never let go!
Break a leg, you three! <3
Thank you, Erin, from our Trio!
Break a leg!
Thank you, Lynn!
So wonderful to see the photos and to read about, Susan! I hope it went well! GO Carabosse !!!
One thing’s for sure, David, I will welcome the chance to play a villain again, should the opportunity arise! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I hope you are thriving!
What a great face!! Thanks so much for writing about the joy of performing and how it is a type of lifelong learning. I love that. Break legs evil fairy!!!
Thank you, Kate! It was the best kind of fun. Did you share this blog with anyone in Argentina? It had 3 views from there, so I’m curious. . .Thanks for reading and comment, and thanks even more for creating performances and performers, including your lovely self!