You will always remember the first time you saw “Serenade” performed live.
When I watched the School of Dance ballet program rehearse “Serenade” in the expansive basement studios of the Marriott Center for Dance, I was transported back to a warm summer night at the Vail Dance Festival in Colorado. As Tchaikovsky’s score echoed across the amphitheater, a cool breeze swept from the tulle of the dancer’s skirts to the skin of my cheek.
A Curtain of Blue
“Serenade” is a plotless ballet choreographed by George Balanchine that began as a lesson in stage technique, with the School of American Ballet’s first performance in 1934. Soon after, Balanchine went on to form the New York City Ballet, using “Serenade” as a lesson to teach his dancers stage presence and performance qualities. The sweeping string score by Tchaikovsky paired with the light blue costumes creates a beautiful ballet exemplifying the connection between dancers on stage and the world around them.
The School of Dance has the unique opportunity this semester to perform classical ballets or choreographed new works. Gaining the right to perform a piece part of a world repertoire like “Serenade” is a significant opportunity for the University of Utah ballet program, dancers, faculty and audience. Typically performed by professional companies at the collegiate level, learning the history, movement and performance qualities of a Balanchine ballet is like no other.
Making the Ballet Come To Life
Seated in my chair tucked in the corner of the studio, two things immediately captured my attention: the dancers’ warm kindness to me, an outsider in their rehearsals, and the seriousness and dedication the dancers held for the ballet. Within minutes of rehearsals, the dancers were zoned in and focused on making great ballet.
The process of getting “Serenade” to the stage has paid off. In the past, the School of Dance has presented great dancers in the ballet department, but unlike their modern program counterpart, they have not offered ample material to let the dancers’ talents shine. “Serenade” does just that, allowing the dancers to complete difficult movements, perform, bend, jump and swoosh across the stage — something that audiences have not seen much of recently.
Beginning with auditions in November, Michele Gifford, a Balanchine répétiteur visited the University to stage the ballet on one of two casts over the course of two weekends. Since then, Margaret Tesch and Melissa Bobick, professors from the School of Dance, and grad student TA Carly Herrmann have been cleaning the dance and making sure both casts were ready to take the piece to stage.
Teaching Hard Work can Lead to Beautiful Things
Tesch said a big focus of hers is on “cleaning and clarifying the choreography and style” as well as working on “stamina and keeping the technique clean even when [dancers are] breathless.”
Mentioning that “Serenade” is an exciting piece for the School of Dance to perform, Tesch responded with enthusiasm that the growth the students are experiencing is exponential. Just as Balanchine’s students learned the piece to progress into adult careers, she said “The students are learning an iconic work, they are living history, embodying it.”
As the shows near, stamina and running the ballet many times is the goal. Tesch said it’s important for the students to see “they can do hard things, beautiful things.” Like Tesch, I hope a large audience will see the beautiful ballet on stage.
Tesch said she hopes “it’s a huge hit and that [the School of Dance] can continue to bring iconic works … [to] honor our history. We must investigate the past, look at it through current lenses and move it forward on dancers who believe that this art form is accessible for everyone.”
A Department Affair
Even this close to performance, last-minute touches are being made by the stage technicians and costume shop. Em Bertelli, production director, is setting up lighting specs that were sent from the Balanchine Trust to reproduce as specified. Christopher Larson and his costume shop team have, according to Tesch, “outdone themselves.”
The School of Dance is bringing “Serenade,” along with three new contemporary ballet works, to the stage from Feb. 22 through March 2 on the Utah Ballet program.
Though only “Serenade” is highlighted here, “In the Theater of Air,” choreographed by Christine McMillan, “Elemental Alignment,” choreographed by Ashley Jian Thomson and “Bring it on Home,” choreographed to Led Zeppelin music by Luc Vanier, complete what will be one of the School of Dance’s best programs in recent times.
Find some time, go to see the ballet! Students can see the show for free with a valid U Card. For more performance and ticketing information, go here.
