Giselle Q & A...round 2!

We asked Shira Lanyi, the second Richmond Ballet dancer portraying Giselle, to answer the same questions Cecile did last week. Below are her answers...some similar and some completely different. It's so interesting how two different ballerinas can bring two different interpretations to the same role, isn't it?

Why is Giselle your favorite ballet?

Giselle was one of the first classical ballets that I ever saw performed at the Carpenter Center as a little girl. I vividly remember loving the score as well as the story of the ballet. Giselle is a huge challenge as a dancer because the two acts are entirely different from one another-- not only in terms of character portrayal, but also in terms of the dancing style. This stark contrast brings a unique quality to the ballet that moves the audience and brings a sense of fulfillment to the dancers.

How many pairs of pointe shoes have you been going through each of these grueling rehearsal weeks?

Unlike The Nutcracker or even Romeo & Juliet, Giselle requires much softer shoes for the amount of jumping and articulation that is required to play this role. I have been going through about two pairs a week during rehearsal. In act two, Giselle is a supernatural being, and therefore must not make any noise, so the pointe shoes must be very soft for this to happen.

What do you do on your own outside of rehearsal to prepare yourself for this role? How do you remember all of that choreography?

I love watching Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn [American Ballet Theatre] just for inspiration on video. However, I have also read several books that explain the libretto, or story of Giselle in greater depth, and delve into the characters and relationships that exist in the ballet. 'The Ballet Called Giselle' by Beaumont is one such book that I sometimes read before bed. I also always keep a notebook for corrections that Malcolm gives to me on a daily basis, which is now quite thick!

What has been most helpful in preparing you for the performance?

I had the rare opportunity of working with Malcolm three years ago privately on the role of Giselle in act two. Malcolm has a breadth of knowledge and is a magnificent coach. Also, working with my partner Tommy has been amazing since we both really connect with each other on stage and also work on connecting the story in rehearsal.

What has been the greatest challenge for you so far in the rehearsal process?

My greatest challenge has been to create the contrast between act one Giselle and act two. The two acts are so drastically different in terms of character development as well as the style and form of the dancing. Act one Giselle is vibrant and full of life, while act two Giselle is an ethereal creature who is full of a more mature love of Albrecht. I love the dichotomy of the role, it definitely presents a new challenge.

What has been most rewarding part of playing this role?

I love playing this character because I have to completely lose myself in the story in order for it to be believable to the audience. I am still Shira, but I have to become Giselle, and that to me is a rewarding journey to take from the beginning of the ballet through to the end. It is full of emotion and discovery, and every rehearsal is a little different since you must connect with the other characters on stage as well.

Who is Giselle; what is she like, in your interpretation?

Giselle is a girl who is so trusting in the good of others and love that she finds herself in a very terrible situation. She is full of life and just loves to dance despite the fact that she has a very weak heart. Her vibrancy and trust in others draws people to her side, and all of the townspeople call her a friend. However, she is also a girl who is very fragile and that is why things go so badly when Albrecht betrays her.

How has it been rehearsing with Thomas Garrett?

Working with Tommy has been a magnificent experience. He brings so much knowledge and interest to the ballet and really delves into his character. He has become Albrecht and that makes it even easier for me to become Giselle with him.

At the end of Act 1, you have a very dramatic scene in which you lose your mind from heartache. How do you portray such a tragedy?

This was a huge challenge for me because I had to discover a part of myself that I have yet to discover in my real life. I just have to imagine that my true love has just broken my heart and I have to feel the hurt that drives me into a state of madness. The scene is so intense and full of drama it is hard to stop myself from shaking as I play the role of a broken hearted young girl. To tear myself from the floor after the end of act one is exhausting and it certainly resonates into the next act.

What does the story of Giselle say about love to you?

That love can live forever, even beyond death.

Giselle Q&A, part II

Cecile Tuzii answered a few more FAQs about the rehearsal process, her own preparation for the role, and why she has always wanted to be Giselle.

What has been the greatest challenge for you so far in the rehearsal process?

The most challenging task is trying to make the right movements and shapes in order to give the impression of effortlessness. One inch difference in an arm movement makes a totally different look, so you have to analyze every corner of each step and position in order to do it correctly and further along the story.

What has been most rewarding part of playing this role?

I love when I can reach the end of the emotional journey of this ballet without having to force it; it’s just there. When I simply follow the story and get so into the character that everything takes place at the right time and in the right way, it is incredibly rewarding. By the end I'm exhausted, but it’s a good type of exhaustion. It’s a full journey; you go through all the emotional temperatures that Giselle experiences, and when you finish you have the satisfaction of organically telling the story in a way that works.

How has it been rehearsing with Kirk?

It’s been very nice; he’s a great listener and is always there for me. We’ve also had some amusing moments together of making each other laugh with funny faces or encountering laughable slip-ups during the rehearsal process. All in all, Kirk does a great job of playing the character and we have a great connection, which helps a lot!

At the end of Act 1, you have a very dramatic scene in which you lose your mind from heartache. How do you portray such a tragedy?

The emotion is so extreme, it’s basically like taking a knife and torturing yourself. In order for it to be real, you have to be in a certain mood, and the story is really what brings you there. I mentally put myself through all the moments; when Giselle thinks she has found her true love, then when she starts doubting, and that sequence brings me to the point where she hurts so badly she wants to kill herself. Finally she dies anyway because she's too weak to take the pain. I have to bring myself into the story by envisioning losing my own love in real life until I actually become the part. It’s truly exhausting! I was out of breath at the end of Saturday’s rehearsal, to the point where I was shaking and even dizzy at the end of the scene! Each day I rehearse I bring those feelings of Giselle home with me until my fiancé gives me a hug.

What does the story of Giselle say about love to you?

True love and real passion never dies.

Giselle Q&A, part I

Cecile Tuzii, one of our talented ballerinas playing Giselle, answered some FAQs about the rehearsal process, her own preparation for the role, and why she has always wanted to be Giselle.

Why is Giselle your favorite ballet?

Giselle has always appealed to me because it exemplifies the technique of romantic ballet. While it's supposed to look effortless, it’s actually very challenging in every aspect. Both the acting and the dancing involves much more than you might think.

How long has Giselle been your dream role?

The first time we ever approached it was in variation class while I was a ballet student in Monte Carlo. We used the material from Giselle for exams, and I also had the chance to perform the role of “Myrtha” (the Queen of the Wilis) when I was graduating at 18 years old. I fell in love with the story, all the characters, and everything that you have to portray without much movement. I loved being able to see the principle roles performed by professional dancers when I was young, and ever since then I had always been hoping to have a chance to be Giselle.

How many pairs of Pointe shoes have you been going through each of these grueling rehearsal weeks?

I actually have only been using 1-2 pairs per week. As Giselle, you jump a lot, but you’re not supposed to make noise. It’s all about articulating your feet, which is easier when your shoes are softer.

What do you do on your own outside of rehearsal to prepare yourself for this role? How do you remember all of that choreography?

I use my iPod a lot. If you just listen to the music [Adolphe Adam], it tells you the story. Sometimes I just sit on the couch and close my eyes and envision myself being there, doing the steps, and being the character. I also go through all the notes and corrections that our Ballet Master, Malcolm Burn, gives me.

What has been most helpful in preparing you for the performance?

Working with Malcolm is so amazing. He has so much knowledge, not only because he has danced in Giselle, but because he has researched so much prior to our rehearsal process. You have to enter that character in order for it to be believable. He gives me the exact text so precisely that it makes it easy to just act it, which is exactly what you need because there’s no space for doubt in this ballet.

Who is Giselle; what is she like, in your interpretation?

She is a very genuine person, a true friend to others, and a loving daughter. She has an irresistible honesty about her; because she is just herself. I see her as doing everything with a full heart, because she has never been hurt yet. In Act 2, her character doesn’t change. She is such a good person that she forgives Albrecht, still loves him even more, and actually saves him after all that he has done to her. She demonstrates true love and beyond.

Cecile answered a few more questions for us that we'll post tomorrow! Stay tuned!