My
favorite memory of performing the Nutcracker ballet with IBT is the very first
year Ray choreographed it. Can you imagine being the first one to dance a part?
To be the first one in a brand new costume designed to fit you? Of course,
every corps member had one just like mine. But it wasn’t the same one. And all
of us together, we were dancing brand new choreography in our brand new
costumes. It was magnificent. Never had I felt so beautiful in my life. My part
is special. I performed Clara’s friend as a Party Girl, a Snowflake, a Flower,
and Spanish. And I am very protective of those parts. I strive to help the
people in them because I want them to look good, doing my part. I, myself, work
very hard at the new parts I’m given, because those parts had an original
person to them too. They even had multiple people before me. My mother role
that I have now was even played by a principal dancer who danced with Ray at
Ballet West. Nobody can tell me that isn’t intimidating.
The
best part about dancing with IBT is I’m lucky enough to not get 1 part, but
more than one. And some schools, you get one, and you even share that part with
another person. But I will never complain if it gets cut down because we have
more people. Why shouldn’t other people get the opportunity to dance with us?
Can you imagine watching a little girl take your spot that you had originally,
and dancing it the best she can? I remember the joy I had when I performed
Spanish and I love seeing other people get the opportunity to do it.
I am more proud to say I have danced with Imagine Ballet Theatre than I am to say I danced the Party Princess with Ballet West when I was little.
