The Ballet Showcase Company Will Perform “Robyn Hood,” Created by Faculty and Students
Enjoy an evening of classical and modern ballet, with an enchanting end as dancers enter Sherwood forest to perform in “Robyn Hood.”
“We wanted to show strength in its many dimensions,” said Hilary Wolfley, director of the showcase and co-creator of “Robyn Hood.” This will be the first time this original work will be seen by audiences.
The ballet showcase will feature both the Theatre Ballet and Ballet Showcase Company. Theatre Ballet will be performing a new faculty work titled “Dust to Divine” by Wolfley as well as an excerpt from the ballet Viva Vivaldi by Gerald Arpino. The Ballet Showcase Company will perform an excerpt from “Swan Lake” and “Robyn Hood.”
Wolfley, in collaboration with BYU students Maile Johnson and Alex Marshall Hatch, started creating "Robyn Hood” in April. Johnson described it as an invaluable learning experience, although daunting at times.
“Not only did I learn a lot and stretch myself as a choreographer, but I also found a lot of value in learning to collaborate with my fellow choreographers, the talented Ballet Showcase dancers, as well as people in other departments to make this production happen,” said Johnson.
This performance of “Robyn Hood” takes a more modern approach to the story as the main roles were cast as female. Wolfley described how it was important for the choreographers to emphasize that these female characters are complex. Often female characters are portrayed as timid in classical ballet settings and Wolfley wanted to go in a different direction.
“Our goal is for this to be a new type of ballet, one that is more representative of real people and their experiences,” said Hatch.
To audience members Hatch recommends introspection and mindfulness toward what the performance personally evokes.
Hatch asks, “If you've seen ballet before, did this one make you feel differently? If you've never seen a ballet before, did ‘Robyn Hood’ challenge your preconceived notions about classical ballet?”
Keep Hatch’s questions in mind for the performances on Nov. 11 and 12. Purchase tickets soon as there is limited availability.
Tickets and Show Details:
BYU Ballet Showcase
- Friday, November 11 | 7:30 pm
- Saturday, November 12 | 2:00 pm
- Saturday, November 12 | 7:30 pm
Location: Dance Performance Theater, Richards Building
Price: $7 for all seats and $3 for Dance Major Cardholders
Tickets: Available in person at the HFAC ticket office, by phone at (801) 422-2981 or online