Talking Pointes

To give our blog readers an inside view of Pennsylvania Ballet, Company Member Katelyn Prominski and her fellow dancers will be sharing their thoughts from behind-the-scenes in their very own blog entries, Talking Pointes. Check out Katelyn’s first post!

Company Member Katelyn Prominski’s Opening Night Diary

Like clockwork, every year, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ begins right before our very eyes. Rehearsals sneak up on us just like the cold weather does, and all of a sudden, after a bunch of jumbled stage rehearsals we realize Opening Night has arrived! One of my favorite observations about Nutcracker is watching the dancers reminisce and work together. Often, a dancer will take on a new role and a “veteran” performer will offer guidance and suggestions for a tricky part. Since we have so many shows, precision and ease comes with experience. Each holiday season starts with its own set of surprises and wonderful traditions, especially around the theater, and this Opening Night performance was not to be excluded.

Soloist Ian Hussey has a heart-warming story that can bring good cheer to even the scroogiest of Scrooges. When 12-year-old Ian was asked to play the Little Prince in Pennsylvania Ballet’s Nutcracker, little did he know that his then Sugar Plum Fairy, Principal Dancer Arantxa Ochoa, would be the Opening Night partner to his Cavalier 13 years later! Ian and Arantxa danced beautifully on Opening Night, a fresh glimpse to their connection years prior. Together they withstood effortless balances and never-ending turns. I surely cannot wait to see their partnership develop over the rest of the run. Watch Ian talk about his Nutcracker memories in this video produced by Principal Dancer Alexander Iziliaev.

Soloist Barette Vance has also kicked off a Nutcracker season to remember! After the curtain came down on her inspirational Dew Drop performance, her boyfriend Chris was waiting backstage to present her with a special gift, a diamond engagement ring!