Studio One begins

Once the wings get set up in the Gibson Studio, I know the Studio Series is getting close, but once the wall comes out and the chairs go up in the McDonald Studio, theater week is in full spring! It’s nice to perform in our home studios, a space we're comfortable and familiar with. The first studio performance of the season always comes slightly more quickly than expected, but once again, it brings that feeling of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead.

Now, just because the wall goes out and we go into a theater mode, doesn't necessarily mean rehearsals stop. I personally always enjoy our rehearsal time in the theater because it gives those of us not currently rehearsing the opportunity to watch the ballets from an audience perspective. With the lights changing and the music stopping and starting, I get the feeling of being backstage and behind the scenes while watching from an audience view point.

Waiting for rehearsal to begin

We mainly rehearse the current Studio One pieces, but we often mix up our day working on tour pieces, Studio Two, as well as lecture demonstrations. Our schedule changes from our regular 10:00AM – 5:30PM day to starting and ending later in the day. It’s nice to have an occasional weekday morning off to get all the normal people stuff done. We so often lose time for grocery shopping, house cleaning, laundry, car stuff... etc.

Our first weekend of shows was very successful. Opening night was sold out and the audience, as usual, was extremely supportive. We had a great review and haven't lost our momentum!

Cody during Tech Rehearsal

Putting on all that stage make-up day after day starts to look more normal. It all seems to go by so quickly --from the end of our warm-up, to the half hour call, and the close of the curtain. When the curtain closed Sunday night after our first weekend of Studio One, we know it’s not over yet. While we don't have consecutive weekends of Studio One, we will be participating in the Richmond Folk Festival, which will be done in our home theater. Studio One will then continue in a second weekend to follow.

If you haven't yet had a chance to make it to the ballet yet, don't miss out. These two ballets, Clowns and Others and Ershter Vals, really show the versatility of the company dancers and our repertory. Studio Two will be here before we all know it!

My space backstage