Candler Lowe, Campus Carrier Arts & Living Editor
The Berry College Dance Troupe and the faculty musicians will put on a two-night production of a contemporary ballet called “The Girl in White.”
The ballet is based on a Mexican folk story that centers around the Day of the Dead holiday that takes place on Nov. 1 every year. The story of the ballet revolves around a ghostly apparition among the Day of the Dead festivities and an unrequited love.
Although the story has been around for generations, this particular setting was composed in 2012 by Global Music Awards Winner Robert J. Bradshaw.
Bradshaw has worked with Adam Hayes, department chair of fine arts and professor of music, in the past on contemporary music and will be attending both showings to speak about his ideas behind the story and the inspirations for the music.
Because of their work together in the past, Hayes knew about the ballet and was waiting for the right opportunity to introduce it. Hayes said he felt this was a good time because the dance troupe will not be performing “The Nutcracker” this year.
Berry faculty will make up the pit orchestra, featuring a string quartet with a double bass, a trumpet part, a saxophone part, a percussion part and a piano part.
The dancers will all be students performing choreography by Jeanne Schul, lecturer in dance.
According to Hayes, this will be the first time since 2011 that this type of collaboration has been done using student dancers and faculty instrumentalists. Paul Neal, associate professor of music and director of choral activities, will conduct the event.
It was a challenge for the dancers involved, however, because this year’s production is much earlier than when it usually occurs. Schul began working on the choreography over the summer and began practice for the show on the first day of class.
Schul’s challenge was to come in and create the story through the movement at the basis of the composition while using the traditions of the Day of the Dead in her choreography.
The choreography is a mix of ballet that is influenced by “danzòn,” a style of Cuban ballroom dancing. Sophomore Emily Zigweger and senior Natalie Buczynsky are working in collaboration with Schul on the choreography.
The reason that practice had to begin so early is because Schul and Hayes wanted to be able to use the costuming that is associated with the Day of the Dead.
“The costuming will be true to the Day of the Dead theme, adding an interesting flair to the show,” Hayes said.
Schul said that the dancers will wear face paint typical of the Day of the Dead, along with leotards and tights that are skeletal.
Senior Hannah Lambert, who has a leading role in the ballet, said that she thought it would be a cool show to do because it is a new type of show the dance troupe is doing and she is really looking forward to the collaboration with the faculty musicians.
“Any production in which dancers are able to work with live music is an amazing experience,” Lambert said. “The fact that we get to do so with Berry’s faculty musicians is fantastic.”
The production is made up of only 12 dancers with three main roles. Alumnus Payton Campbell will be dancing the male lead alongside Lambert.
The ballet will be held in the Ford Auditorium, which suits the chamber ballet, according to Hayes, because it is so small.
Hayes explained that one reason that he is looking forward to using the Ford Auditorium is because they are trying to gain attention from community donors to look at the possibility of renovating the auditorium.
Admission is free for faculty and students with ID and $10 for general admission. Shows will be on Oct. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.