Open Call: First State Ballet brings dance back to Delaware with intimate performances

Joan Beatson

Guest columnist

This fall First State Ballet Theatre has dedicated itself to bringing ballet back to Delaware’s stages in a big way.

Although the school remained open, our entire 2020-21 company season was cancelled.

Now, with a company of 21 dancers, 14 of whom are new to the company, FSBT’s season brings audiences exciting new ballets by new and returning choreographers, and fresh staging of some of the very best of the classical repertoire.

This weekend FSBT returns to Studio 1 at The Baby Grand for "Up Front on Market,'' a mix of classical highlights and contemporary pieces in an intimate setting that allows the audience to experience the dancing up close.

New pieces include a contemporary pas de deux by Zachary Kapeluck of Philadelphia’s BalletX, Abigail Kasten’s witty character piece "Metelytsia,'' and "Fantasy of a Musician,'' performed to live piano accompaniment of Chopin’s Fantasie in F Minor, Op. 49, B 137 and choreographed by former Philadelphia Ballet principal dancer Alexei Borovik.

Dancers Rie Aoki and Richy Romero of First State Ballet work on 'Dusk,' a new ballet from choreographer Zachary Kapeluck.

Rounding out the program are the exciting "Flames of Paris'' pas de deux, the poignant "Long, Long Thoughts'' pas de deux from Viktor Plotnikov’s "Everlasting Arms'' (based on the sculptures of Charles Parks), excerpts from the elegant "Raymonda,'' and the iconic solo to the haunting music of Saint-Saëns, "The Dying Swan.''

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Up Front provides the dancers the chance to grow as artists by being cast in challenging roles and being involved in the creation of new pieces.

Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov uses "Up Front'' to give the dancers the opportunity to rise to new technical and artistic challenges. “I like to see what they can do if they are given the chance,” says Kambalov.

Rie Aoki, an FSBT veteran of eight seasons, says “For me, 'Up Front' is always an opportunity to expand my repertoire and perform really challenging pieces.”

Richy Romero, a six-year FSBT veteran, agrees and adds, “I like 'Up Front' because it gives people the chance to see that we can dance anything that’s put in front of us, not just the classical repertoire.”

Romero particularly enjoys working with choreographers creating new pieces for FSBT. “We try things out together and see what works.”

'The Nutcracker' features the thrilling Grand Pas with Marie and her four cavaliers.

In just a few short weeks FSBT brings back the holiday favorite "The Nutcracker to the stage at Copeland Hall.

Kambalov’s staging of "The Nutcracker'' is a blend of old and the new. The climatic Grand Pas has Marie, the central character, dancing with four cavaliers executing a series of breathtaking lifts, and is inspired by the Mariinsky Ballet’s version in St. Petersburg, where Kambalov trained as a student.

In 2018, he created new staging for the battle between the mice and toy soldiers, and each year he adds touches inspired by working with a new cast, filling the iconic scene with dynamic dancing, daring lifts and flashes of humor. And, as Pasha points out, new dancers always bring a fresh look to the ballet.

First State Ballet dancers rehearse a piece by Alexei Borovik to the music of Chopin.

In FSBT’s version, the central character of Marie is played by a child in the first portion of the ballet and taken over by an adult dancer, representing Marie in her dream. This year 13-year-old Anne Zhu is dancing the role of Marie.

Anne is excited about getting back to ''Nutcracker'' after last year’s cancellation. “Every week I look forward to Saturdays,” when students and company members rehearse their shared scenes together.

Anne’s sister Esther performed the role in 2018 and 2019. “I got to watch my sister do it and now I have to chance to experience her experience.”

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For so many people, ''The Nutcracker'' is their first step into the world of ballet – either as a member of the audience or as a young performer. For American ballet companies, its popularity has made this holiday tradition the cornerstone of every season.

When asked about what "Nutcracker'' means to them, most dancers talk about the camaraderie of performing with friends and being swept up in the Christmas spirit.

Joan Beatson, First State School Director, is a native of Wilmington, and started her dance training at age 5. She joined the FSBT faculty in 2010 and also serves as a ballet mistress and company teacher. Joan has been School Director at FSBT since 2016 and has over 25 years of experience in non-profit administration.

Nine-year-old Katlyn Peacock, an FSBT student dancing in her first Nutcracker, says, “The Nutcracker brings people together.”

Tickets for "Up Front'' are available at the door or by calling 1-800-37-GRAND.

For tickets for "The Nutcracker,'' call or go online at www.thegrandwilmington.org.

FSBT’s season continues into 2022 with the classic full-length ballets GisKamelle and Swan Lake. Visit www.firststateballet.org for more information.

Joan Beatson is school director of First State Ballet.