Raymonda-Full Length Ballet

Along with completing my MFA,

I spent my spring also helping set and perform in

Raymonda, the full length ballet,

presented by Ballet Rincon Dance Academy, 

in Tucson, AZ.

The music for the ballet is breathtaking,

and I loved having the opportunity to

work with the corps of the ballet.

I also got to play the mysterious character

of the White Lady.

Below are just a few pictures of the experience,

in no particular order.

Mark Nichols (the Prince), myself,

Janae Toone (Raymonda), Bryden Cais (the evil guy)

Carrie Hill (Countess), Myself, Mika Delongchamps, Danni Herrington (Members of the Court)

What was really fun about this ballet, was

that almost the whole faculty also performed character

roles in it. Normally we are just behind the scenes.

Janae Toone (Raymonda) Mark Nichols (the Prince) Bryden Cais (the evil guy)

One thing I loved setting in this ballet was the fight scene.

Very rarely does a ballet have a legitimate "evil" guy.

We lucked out with Bryden who was more than amazing

in this role.

What was also memorable was that the fight scene also

included his death.

The challenge was how to believably

show the fight and convincingly

kill the evil character (PG of course)

in under 2 minutes.

Myself (the White Lady), the Performance Ensemble in the dream scene

I did not do much in the ballet, but it was 

fun and because of the veil I did not need to wear a wig.

Having short hair is fun but can be a challenge

when dealing with costuming.

Full Cast and Faculty from Raymonda the ballet.

Sharing the opportunity to set this ballet

is one I will cherish. 

Learning the details and choreography of the ballet,

after Marius Petipa was historically rewarding

and artistically inspiring.

I look forward to opportunities to work

with classical ballets in the future.

Until then, turn up the radio and dance!