Ballet styles evolve from classical to modern in 2011-12 season premiere

Putting together a three-part ballet in three weeks is not an easy task. But the students of the Jacobs School of Music Ballet made it happen through the inspiration of the revolutionary choreographers who came before them.

The IU Ballet will kick off its season by taking on work from a trio of pioneering choreographers in its debut performance of “Steps in Time.” The show features three separate pieces that showcase contrasting ballet styles.

About 40 Jacobs School ballet students are set to bring these pieces to life Friday and Saturday at the Musical Arts Center.

“The audience will get to see styles from neoclassical to contemporary ballet style and then a modern piece,” sophomore Mara Jacobucci said. “It’s really a great performance for people who want to be exposed to relevant choreographers.”

The show begins in a more classical style with “Concierto Barocco,” originally choreographed by George Balanchine.

Because of its quick pace, the piece has proven to be challenging to more experienced IU dancers.

“It is really hard on my stamina,” senior Jordan Martin said. “I am trying to go to the gym to build up my stamina, but running through the ballet every day really helps.”

Preparations for this weekend’s performances include two hours or more of performance runthroughs on top of accredited semester dance classes.

“At first it was really difficult to pick up on the choreography, but I guess that is one of my weaknesses,” Martin said. “It is my last year here so I am trying to have fun with it, because looking back at past performances, I used to get nervous.”

The more contemporary “Dear Frederic,” choreographed by Dwight Rhoden, is being staged by guest repetiteur Juan-Antonio Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who has performed in works by Rhoden, has been working with the ballet department to keep all aspects of the piece true to the original vision.

“I help to set up or stage the piece and work with costumes and lighting,” Rodriguez said. “I am here to keep Dwight’s concept and visualizations, having been there when they were created.”

Learning these three styles of dance has been difficult for the dancers, especially those performing in multiple pieces.

Jacobucci will be performing in both “Dear Frederic” and “Company B” and views both pieces as a growing experience.

“I feel like I am learning more about myself because the contrast between the two performances is so great,” Jacobucci said. “You have to approach each dance with a different attitude and mentality.”

Not only do the dancers feel this growth in themselves, but Rodriguez said he has seen the confidence and technique of the dancers develop during the past weeks.

“I have been pretty excited from day one, and there was a lot of eagerness from the dancers,” Rodriguez said. “The growth from the first week until now has shown me that the dancers understand that it is important not to mimic but feel the movements.”

The final choreographer celebrated in “Steps in Time” is Paul Taylor with the piece “Company B.”

Jacobucci described the piece as a fun and upbeat modern ballet style with a happy feel, although it is meant to depict the World War II era.

“I am hoping to give it my all and contribute to the piece as a whole by bouncing off the energy of the other dancers to create the image that the choreographer is striving for,”
Jacobucci said.

Jacobs School instrumentalists and faculty will be contributing to the performance as well.

Musical pieces range from J.S. Bach to Chopin to the Andrews Sisters.

“We are really lucky to have the live music from the Jacobs students,” Martin said. “All three pieces have great music that people will know.”

“Steps in Time” will expose the audience to innovative styles of ballet created by noted choreographers.

The appeal of this performance lies in the contrast of the choreographers being presented and the talents of the dancers.

“With the virtuosity of the dancers, you are getting it all,” Rodriguez said. “They are taking three completely different ballet styles and executing them on stage. What more of a draw could you ask for?”