Aside from being the Snow Queen…

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 | All Posts by Elana Altman, SFB Scene

The past few weeks I have been fortunate enough to work with Renato Zanella on his new piece for the 2010 Season.  The first thing that struck me about him is that he came very prepared.  More than just seeing the piece in his mind, he could show us the steps with his body, making it easier for me to learn what he wants and how to do it.   Of course the steps morphed when Renato saw them on our bodies and with our pointe shoes.  Some swivels that worked so well in his socks were not quite the same with our hard boxes and shanks!  Since Renato was familiar with almost every step of his ballet when he arrived, the daunting task of creating an entire ballet in three weeks was accomplished.  We had the first run-through tonight and it looks fantastic!  I’m learning the Storyteller role–a somewhat dark, mysterious creature.  It’s fabulous and I’m eager to see the ballet come to life on stage next spring.

In other hours of the day I’m rehearsing Forsythe’s in the middle, somewhat elevated, one of my all-time favorites.  And then there’s Nutcracker right around the corner.  One thing I love about this Company is that during one hour I’m doing crazy contemporary movement, throwing myself around to the extreme, and the next hour I’m in a tutu dancing Queen of the Snow.  It is that variety and contrast on which I thrive.

Elana Altman and Brett Bauer in Tomasson's Nutcracker. (© Erik Tomasson)

Tags: Elana Altman, in the middle somewhat elevated, Nutcracker, Renato Zanella

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