Guess which roles I didn’t dance this year?

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 | All Posts by Luke Willis, Behind the Scenes | No Comments

This year I danced seven roles in Nutcracker. Talk about keeping a show fresh and new! I was daily remembering which steps I was supposed to do depending on which day of the week it was. Come to think of it, I had one role for every day of the week. It’s probably easier to guess which ones I didn’t dance.

As Dr. Stahlbahm and Mr. Blum from the party scene.

The Jack-in-the-Box

The Rat King sneaking around the Opera House…

As Arabian… keeping watch at Security.

Spanish!

And finally… a Cossack in the Russian Trepak. Good night, everyone!

Tags: Luke Willis, Nutcracker

Keeping It Real

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 | All Posts by Luke Willis, Behind the Scenes | 2 Comments

During my first season with SFB, most of my dancing opportunities were one shot deals and I had only one chance to get it right. But this season is different; I was scheduled to dance six of the seven shows of Ibsen’s House for Program 2. Finally rid of the stress of only having one show to prove myself and to make everything perfect, now I was faced with one of the most exciting and thrilling challenges that an artist can be given: how to recreate a performance.

Taking a break

Opening night was a blast; I danced with a confidence and commitment that made every breath and movement come alive for me. I was dancing with the knowledge that I wouldn’t have just one opportunity to dance this ballet and make something of it. In fact, I would have at least five other performances - not just to get it right, but to give it a chance to grow and ripen into a delicious experience to remember for the rest of my life. Upon reflection I realize there may be a million and one techniques for creating spontaneity in something that has been rehearsed for several months, however, it all boils down to “being present.”

Our culture and society has taught us to rely on habit in order to survive the day and accomplish all the mundane tasks expected of us. But habits are deceptive because we never experience the same moment twice, ever. So, no activity is ever the same as the last time it was executed. Habit can lead to a poor execution of the task at hand.

In performance there is this contradiction, a paradox even, of relying on muscle memory and habit to execute the steps, but needing to bring awareness to the uniqueness of the moment. That is the idea behind presence. I faced this challenge over the past two weeks and I would say that for the most part, I succeeded in at least making the experience new for myself each time, while maintaining consistency of execution, for my partner at least. I wish I could dance Ibsen’s House a hundred more times in the present–with a hundred more paradoxes of same and different.

Tags: Ibsen's House, Luke Willis

A Hectic Holiday

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 | All Posts by Luke Willis | 2 Comments

 My brother Sam, my sister Rachel, my mom Laurie, and me in Marin the day after our last Nutcracker performance. 

Wow, what a month. December was exhausting. Because I am not able to travel home anymore during the holidays, my family has moved the Christmas celebrations 2,813 miles from Jacksonville Beach, FL to San Francisco just so we can all be together. I host Christmas now; I’m responsible for the tree, the food, the sleeping arrangements, the grocery shopping and presents. A normal load for many during this time of year, but for me this is on top of a work schedule that includes dancing any one of three different parts, two shows a day, six days a week, for two and a half weeks. It’s tiring. I guess that’s when it’s nice to have my family here in California with me. Having my family around reminds me of my childhood and keeps the magic of the holidays and especially the magic of the Nutcracker fresh. After all, it is the show responsible for my pursuit of the performing arts, and I’m sure it’s the same for so many others. This reminds me how lucky I am to share my own special memories with others and to be a part of the magic for so many. But, I can’t wait to catch up on my sleep!

Oysters!

My brother, sister, and me on the ferry to visit Alcatraz on my morning off.

Tags: Family, Luke Willis, Nutcracker

In a New York Minute

Friday, November 14th, 2008 | All Posts by Luke Willis, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | No Comments

Time dominates the lifestyle in NYC. The fear and anxiety of being on time covers the city thicker than the fog of San Francisco covers the Sunset District. Although the energy was overwhelming and not an entirely desirable condition to produce honest and vulnerable art, I still managed to make the most of our trip to NYC—when in Rome, right? 

I only danced two performances at City Center, but they were important ones to me. Not only was my mom there, but I danced two of the biggest roles I have danced to date with this company. The second Friday night performance was my first ever show of Double Evil. Then the next day during the matinee, I performed a great role in Ibsen’s House with Clara Blanco. The first three quarters of our stay was comprised of me finding ways to stay in shape for the big shows, like running the ballets by myself in an empty studio, seeking out convenient yoga classes and, of course, marathon shopping. I had a week and a half in New York before the shows, and I had to distract myself from all the anxieties that accompanied this opportunity to dance significant roles with what is currently being praised as the greatest ballet company in the country, and among the best in the world. 

The first two days, the stress manifested itself physically. I walked off the plane with one of the most crippling flare-ups of tendonitis in my ankle that I have ever had. It lasted for two days and when it finally subsided, after much coaxing, it became apparent how the chronic pain was a direct result of my emotional and mental stress.  I was becoming overwhelmed by the prospect of being put on a stage in front of one of the most judgmental audiences in the world with “over the top” expectations and the looming possibility of my failure to deliver something worthy of their time, not even to mention their money. 

It seems we (I guess I should speak for myself, but we’re not much different, you and me) always fear the unknown, but why? What negative experiences do we have of the unknown that would create such a reaction? Doesn’t the unknown hold endless possibility? Isn’t that a positive thing?  Shouldn’t we embrace it with love and fearlessness? Ah, I found my mantra. The efforts of the next ten days were spent trying to convince myself of this mantra. It is very easy to know something intellectually, but very difficult to believe and trust it.  

The final rehearsal (and the only one onstage) the day before left me in tears – still, that silly stress thing was getting in my way. It was then, as with all great tales, that divinity stepped in. A mentor stepped in with a few words that rang out and echoed through my whole being, “Be yourself and do what you do, that’s why you were chosen to do this.”

I walked in to New York City Center Friday morning with a newfound courage to dance and live. I lived Jorma Elo’s Double Evil. I lived every moment of it. And it felt good. No, it felt awesome. 

I love that my work is so alive and requires so much presence, commitment, and vulnerability. I am given permission to explore the depths of my inner being daily, to express my deepest wishes and desires through the most basic form of communication, movement. It’s frightening stuff, but the rewards are endless. Ever since arriving in San Francisco my ego has been flooded with a great deal of insecurity and fear. I want so badly to be a part of this company, but my longing has blinded me from realizing that I AM a part of this company! The faith put in me by the artistic staff has inspired a new level of confidence in myself.

Orange County, bring it on.

Tags: Luke Willis, The American Tour