Did everyone see today's Oregonian? There's a marvelous piece on the first page of the "How We Live" section about us! Grant Butler interviewed Olga, Danie, and Mia about the ins and outs of being a snowflake. They give a good insider's viewpoint of what it takes to make the snow scene work well, including the scoop about what the snow is really made of, the hazards of getting it dumped on you while you're trying to dance, and how a good corps de ballet functions like a well-practiced team.
I have to add that the music of the Waltz of the Snowflakes is one of my favorite parts of the whole ballet. The "bed ballet", which is when the Nutcracker Prince's life-sized bed magically glides all over the stage by itself while Marie sleeps on it, recovering from her terrifying fight with the Mouse King, is some of the most transcendent and inspiring music you'll ever hear. It always gets me revved up for Act 2 and excited to get out there and dance. And of course, watching those girls transform themselves from individual flurries of snow, gently falling from the sky, into a wild, powerful blizzard is an amazing sight whether you're watching from the wings or from out front!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Making Memories
Home sweet home...
As Steven wrote below, our annual treks to Alaska have become fodder for a lot of good-natured moaning and groaning mixed with the satisfaction and fulfillment of performing for a wonderfully appreciative community. We don't tour much at OBT, so being away from home to dance, especially over a holiday, is difficult. The truth, however, is that touring is just about the most bonding experience a company can have. For a week we live, eat, work, and fill every spare minute in each other's company. The result of going through a shared journey like this is that we are not only closer to each other as people and friends, but as a team. Sitting at the airport last night (I mean this morning...) waiting for our flight home to board, I realized yet again what a remarkable thing it is to have co-workers who are so much more that. We see each other at our best, our worst, and everywhere in between (most especially when taking red-eye flights-- not pretty). We watch each other struggle, try, succeed, fail, and try again. We depend upon each other to make the end goal reachable (a perfect example is Mia's rhyming description of what happened in Friday's matinee). And the most beautiful part about it is that we support each other no matter what, because we know we will need that support back.
On another note, Kevin Poe, the children's ballet master for OBT's Nutcracker production, passed along to me a wonderful letter he got from the parent of one of the children in the Anchorage production. (All the kids in the Anchorage production are from area schools. Kevin goes up in September to hold auditions and teach the choreography, and then returns just before the company arrives to do some last-minute touch ups. He oversees the children throughout the run in addition to playing the role of Drosselmeier). The letter of appreciation he got from this little girl's mother reminded me of just how formative and influential the experience of performing can be for a young child:
"Thank you for giving hundreds of children the opportunity to be cast in such an extraordinarily beautiful and well run production. For many children, thier experience as performers in the Nutcracker will long remain a cherished memory. Emma was thrilled to perform as an angel last year, and as a party boy this year. I'm grateful you saw something special in Emma."
That pretty much sums up the effect it can have on a child. Being recognized as having the ability and potential to do something special, chosen to take on the responsibility to perform, and then given the task of living up to a standard through hard work, concentration, and commitment fires up something in a child's brain and psyche that no other childhood experience can. It's very similar to what bonds the adult dancers as a company-- a common goal that we must all work independently, yet in community, to achieve.
I'm so glad that we can bring that kind of experience and exposure to those kids, because I know first-hand how major it can be. The first time I stepped on stage in a professional ballet production was as a boy polichinelle with the New York City Ballet when I was eleven years old. I am positive that it was that and subsequent experiences in children's roles with a professional company that set my mind on the path to this career.
As Steven wrote below, our annual treks to Alaska have become fodder for a lot of good-natured moaning and groaning mixed with the satisfaction and fulfillment of performing for a wonderfully appreciative community. We don't tour much at OBT, so being away from home to dance, especially over a holiday, is difficult. The truth, however, is that touring is just about the most bonding experience a company can have. For a week we live, eat, work, and fill every spare minute in each other's company. The result of going through a shared journey like this is that we are not only closer to each other as people and friends, but as a team. Sitting at the airport last night (I mean this morning...) waiting for our flight home to board, I realized yet again what a remarkable thing it is to have co-workers who are so much more that. We see each other at our best, our worst, and everywhere in between (most especially when taking red-eye flights-- not pretty). We watch each other struggle, try, succeed, fail, and try again. We depend upon each other to make the end goal reachable (a perfect example is Mia's rhyming description of what happened in Friday's matinee). And the most beautiful part about it is that we support each other no matter what, because we know we will need that support back.
On another note, Kevin Poe, the children's ballet master for OBT's Nutcracker production, passed along to me a wonderful letter he got from the parent of one of the children in the Anchorage production. (All the kids in the Anchorage production are from area schools. Kevin goes up in September to hold auditions and teach the choreography, and then returns just before the company arrives to do some last-minute touch ups. He oversees the children throughout the run in addition to playing the role of Drosselmeier). The letter of appreciation he got from this little girl's mother reminded me of just how formative and influential the experience of performing can be for a young child:
"Thank you for giving hundreds of children the opportunity to be cast in such an extraordinarily beautiful and well run production. For many children, thier experience as performers in the Nutcracker will long remain a cherished memory. Emma was thrilled to perform as an angel last year, and as a party boy this year. I'm grateful you saw something special in Emma."
That pretty much sums up the effect it can have on a child. Being recognized as having the ability and potential to do something special, chosen to take on the responsibility to perform, and then given the task of living up to a standard through hard work, concentration, and commitment fires up something in a child's brain and psyche that no other childhood experience can. It's very similar to what bonds the adult dancers as a company-- a common goal that we must all work independently, yet in community, to achieve.
I'm so glad that we can bring that kind of experience and exposure to those kids, because I know first-hand how major it can be. The first time I stepped on stage in a professional ballet production was as a boy polichinelle with the New York City Ballet when I was eleven years old. I am positive that it was that and subsequent experiences in children's roles with a professional company that set my mind on the path to this career.
Day 7: Going Home.
The whole group posing for a shot on our last day in Anchorage.Yesterday was our final day in Anchorage, Alaska. It was especially bizarre for me because I've been coming to Alaska with the company every year since I was an apprentice. Realizing that this was the last time was a little bitter-sweet. The tour has become a large part of my Nutcracker experience, and while I don't know that I'll really miss it next year, I think I'll notice it's absence.
We had two performances yesterday. In the matinee I did my first performance as Herr Drosselmeier in the party scene (photo below). I was pretty nervous before hand. I'm very used to relying on my dancing to make a performance good, but there is literally no dancing in this part. It's all acting, remembering all your props, and trying to figure out what comes next in the party scene. All in all, I had a blast, and I can't wait to do it again!
Me as Herr Drosselmeier.After our final show we all did last minute packing and got some food. Our bus call was at 10 pm for our 1 am flight, which was on time for the first time since we've been coming to Alaska. We all arrived in Portland around 5:30 and after getting luggage and taking a bus back to OBT I promptly went home and went to bed.
It's always a little weird coming back to your normal life after being away, even if just for a week. Alaska can feel very confined compared to Portland. Everywhere you go is within a 6 block, so coming back to a full city where you have a car, a bike, or the bus... you can feel a little overwhelmed by all the freedom. :-).
Anyway, for those of you who followed us on our trip via this blog, thanks for reading!!
Steven
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Day 5: First Day of Performances
Hi all!
Well, yesterday was our first day of performances. They went pretty well, aside from one incident (if you haven't read Mia's blog, I suggest you do that ASAP!). I only danced in the second show, so it was a pretty easy day. Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to do my first Drosselmeier and I'm pretty nervous/excited.
In other news, it's snowing a lot here in Alaska:
Get it? :-)
Hope you're all staying warm!
Steven
Well, yesterday was our first day of performances. They went pretty well, aside from one incident (if you haven't read Mia's blog, I suggest you do that ASAP!). I only danced in the second show, so it was a pretty easy day. Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to do my first Drosselmeier and I'm pretty nervous/excited.
In other news, it's snowing a lot here in Alaska:
Get it? :-)
Hope you're all staying warm!
Steven
How Daniela and Mia Saved Waltz of the Flowers
'Twas the first show in Anchorage, and things were just swell,
as far as the dancers and audience could tell.
The ribbons were tied, the hair was pinned neatly,
the boys fine and noble, the girls smiling sweetly.
Act I had wrapped up; Act II underway,
but something was wrong. Something was astray.
With a hustle and bustle people started to stir,
"Grace twisted her ankle! Oh, how to help her!"
I'm sad to admit that indeed it was true,
Miss Shibley's poor ankle was swollen and blue.
She was to dance demi-flower, a strenuous role,
but the injury wouldn't let her. It was taking its toll.
So how to save Flowers? Whatever to do?
Act II barreled on, and time quickly flew.
With Mother Ginger onstage and Flowers advancing,
Danie threw on her pointe shoes, bracing herself for some dancing.
Brennan rustled Mia from stretching her side,
"You must do the other demi!" Mia's eyes grew quite wide.
"The other side? Well I'll try, for better or worse,"
for this was a part that she didn't rehearse.
So Danie and Mia both ran onstage,
Danie without makeup, Mia's mind in a rage.
And although they were flustered and slightly alarmed,
no steps were amiss. The ballet went unharmed.
With laughter and smiles they embraced and sighed,
"Oh what a relief! That was quite a ride!"
Good thing Mia's mind worked and Danie was there
to fill in when Grace gave us all quite a scare.
So now we all hope that dear Grace mends quite quickly,
as the Alaskan winds blow and the white snow falls thickly.
If there's a lesson to be learned from the poem that I've shared,
it is certainly this: Always be prepared!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Day 4: Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving all,
Thursday is always our only day of rest when we tour to Alaska, which is something to be thankful for. We had our dinner around five and wrapped it up with some Celebrity Charades. I think we would all agree that soloist Chauncey Parsons was the winner (he impersonated Bill Murray, circa Ghostbusters, but unfortunately we didn't document it, nor did we guess the correct answer. But his presentation was spectacular.). But Ballet Master Lisa Kipp came in with a close second here:
We open tomorrow afternoon and have two shows a day for the rest of our stay here. After a day of turkey, we'll be ready.
-Adrian
Thursday is always our only day of rest when we tour to Alaska, which is something to be thankful for. We had our dinner around five and wrapped it up with some Celebrity Charades. I think we would all agree that soloist Chauncey Parsons was the winner (he impersonated Bill Murray, circa Ghostbusters, but unfortunately we didn't document it, nor did we guess the correct answer. But his presentation was spectacular.). But Ballet Master Lisa Kipp came in with a close second here:
We open tomorrow afternoon and have two shows a day for the rest of our stay here. After a day of turkey, we'll be ready.
-Adrian
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