What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1052486
NOVEMBER 18-24, 2018 WHAT'S UP! 9 COVER STORY Kelsey Corder Role: Snow Queen • What made you want to become a dancer? My mom signed me up for ballet class when I was 4 years old and on the day of my first class, I cried all day because I didn't want to go. On the ride home, I cried because I couldn't go back the next day, and I have been in love with dance ever since. • Who/what inspires you most in your dance career? Watching other dancers inspires me to always work hard and reminds me that there's always something for me to improve. I'm also inspired by the awestruck little girls who watch rehearsals through the windows and the reactions I receive from the audience. • What have you learned about yourself or about the craft of ballet in performing with the Western Arkansas Ballet? Through my years at WAB, I've learned that comparing my weaknesses to someone else's strengths won't make me any stronger. The only way to improve is to push yourself further than you think you can, no matter how far anyone else goes. • What stereotypes about ballet do you wish you could dispel? Many people think of ballet as little girls twirling around on stage in pretty pink tutus. People don't realize the sacrifice, hard work, dedication and strength it takes to be a dancer. Jammie Walker Role: Walker is a visiting dancer from New York's Jessica Lang Dance, returning to WAB to perform the role of Cavalier • Who/what inspires you most in your dance career? I am always inspired by the people around me. Watching how they approach a step or a role, or just seeing what their process is. I love learning from others. • What lessons from your time with Western Arkansas Ballet stand out as having the greatest impact on you? Definitely just working hard. I am glad that the faculty there pushed me so hard while I was young. It made me better prepared for my future training and eventual career. • What have been your biggest challenges as a dance professional? Mostly being physically sore almost all of the time. All of the classes, rehearsals and performances really take their toll on certain joints. • What stereotypes about ballet do you wish you could dispel? I think that the stereotype about dancers not eating is really unfortunate. Dance is aerobic activity, you have to fuel your body. • What do you love most about ballet as an art form? I love that ballet has the power to inspire people; to make them feel different when they leave the theater than they felt when they came in. Scout Watson Role: Clara • What have you learned about yourself or about the craft of ballet in performing this character? One of the things I have learned about me in this ballet performance is that I get so stressed over one little small part that I can't get, but after I try and try, then I get it — and it's like getting a gift that you always wanted. • When did you start performing on stage? I started performing on stage when I was at least 3 or 4 and that brought out a lot in me. I'm very shy, but not when I'm on stage. • Who is your favorite character to dance? My favorite character to play would be one of the evil stepsisters from "Cinderella" or any funny character because I love adding a twist to my performances. • What is your favorite item in your dance bag? My favorite thing in my dance bag is this little card with the French word "battement" (bat-muh) and the definition because it was one of the very first words that I learned in dance class. • What do you love most about ballet? What I love most about ballet is that you can be graceful in so many different ways, and you get a lot of new muscles when you do ballet. Aluria Merlino Role: Soldier, Page, Clown, and Boy in the Children's March • What made you want to become a dancer? Because I wanted to be active instead of being on electronic devices all the time. • What have you learned about yourself or about the craft of ballet in performing with the NWA Regional Dance Co.? I believe in myself better than I did before dance and that is harder than it looks and take lots of work. • What do you want non-dancers to know about what you do? I dance a lot, work hard and love my dance company. • What is the best advice you have ever been given? When you make a mistake don't show it. Just work through it and make it better. Corder Walker Watson Merlino Western Arkansas Ballet Northwest Arkansas Regional Ballet Co. FAQ NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet WHEN — 7 p.m. Dec. 1; 2 p.m. Dec. 2 WHERE — Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School COST — $20-$25 INFO — 553-7400, nwaballet. com FAQ Ballet Westside NWA Regional Dance Co. WHEN — 7 p.m. Dec. 8; 2 p.m. Dec. 9 WHERE — Rogers High School COST — $6-$12 INFO — 636-6678, balletwest side.com FAQ Western Arkansas Ballet WHEN — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16 WHERE — ArcBest Corp. Perform- ing Arts Center in Fort Smith COST — $25 INFO — 785-0152, waballet.org FAQ Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet WHEN — 7 p.m. Nov. 23; 2 & 7 p.m. Nov. 24; 2 p.m. Nov. 25 WHERE — Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville COST — $19-$52 INFO — 445-5600, waltonartscenter.org