What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette T his is a full-circle moment for me," says Kaley Kirkman Althausen. Althausen returns to Northwest Arkansas to dance for the first time since 2015. After spending time with Texas Ballet Theater and five seasons with Ballet Arkansas, the Fayetteville native moved to San Antonio with her husband, who is in the military. There she joined the San Antonio Ballet and has just wrapped her second season with the company. The 26-year-old ballerina returns to the stage as Aurora for "Aurora's Wedding," presented by Northwest Arkansas Conservatory of Classical Ballet. As a student, she says that joined the conservatory in 2011 during the school's early days when she was part of Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theater. For her final performance in Northwest Arkansas, she danced the role of Aurora. "It's kind of neat that I get to come back and perform the same role," she says. "I am really excited to come back and see my old teachers, but it is a little bit nerve wracking because I've been away." For the two performances on April 1, Althausen will perform with Zeek Wright, with whom she danced for Ballet Arkansas. Wright will dance the role of Prince Désiré in Act 3 of "Sleeping Beauty," which includes both pas de deux (a dance for two) and solos as well as dances with 90 Conservatory of Classical Ballet students. Althausen says the dances are difficult, but it's worth the work to bring the dance to the stage. "It's really iconic and fun to dance, and the music is beautiful," she adds. As she continues in her career, Althausen offers the following advice for young dancers looking to their future: "Know your worth. Know that "perfect" technique isn't always what makes a great dancer. Is it important to strive to be the best you can be every day? Yes, but take 'perfection' out of your vocabulary," she says. "Don't let other's opinions shape how you see yourself. It's OK to fail and find joy in the process of growing and learning. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and that's what makes something beautiful to watch on stage." As part of the same performance, Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre will present a preview of its upcoming series called "Radiant." Choreographed by artistic director Stephen Wynne and featuring four dancers from the company, it will pay tribute to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. "I grew up with his music, and I just absolutely adore how he approaches the ethereal qualities of music — the richness, the dramatics, the emotional, the actual soul-baring and longing — that he portrays in his music," Wynne says. "He's always been one of my favorite contemporary composers. As the new artistic director of Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theater, I wanted to share that passion with our fans." "Webber has a way of connecting to all of our universal longings as human beings. He just puts it out there, and we all just melt, so I just thought that would be a wonderful way to introduce myself and my direction as a choreographer." MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2023 WHAT'S UP! 5 See Ballet Page 6 En Pointe Concert showcases ballet, modern, jazz dances Northwest Arkansas Conservatory of Classical Ballet presents "Aurora's Wedding," at 2 & 7 p.m. April 1 at Arend Arts Center in Bentonville. From the classical ballet "Sleeping Beauty," the performance will feature 90 conservatory students. Aurora will be danced by professional guest artist Kaley Althausen, a former Conservatory student. (Courtesy Photos/Katie Cole Photography) BENTONVILLE