Ballet Aligned continues to further its mission to provide every dancer with all the tools to make their dance dreams a reality. We are pleased that for our upcoming production, we have cast understudies–a new feature to casting for Ballet Aligned, but a staple and concept in live performances we are excited to introduce to our students to further their training.
Being selected as an understudy is both a privilege and a responsibility. It can be an indication of potential future casting, encouraging understudy to grow and progress at an accelerated rate. (Our spring shows are performed over the span of two years each which allows students to aspire to specific casting and improve as they grow to meet the demands of a specific role.) AND understudies ensure, when “the show must go on,” that it CAN. They should aim to master the role they are understudying sufficient so that if the dancer in the spot they are learning becomes sick or injured, that place can be filled, immediately, by the understudy!
Last spring, my son was understudying the ballet, “Pictures at an Exhibition,” with Ballet West. When the dancer performing the role tore his knee ON STAGE and hobbled off, my son ran from his dressing room to the stage, put on the very costume which had been worn by the injured dancer, was on by his next entrance, and finished the ballet. Not only did he know the steps, but he knew the counts, the traffic patterns, exit and entrance wings, and how to partner the other dancers in the piece. His preparation saved all the other dancers from chaos AND proved to the artistic staff (his bosses) his commitment to professionalism. (Image below: Kai Casperson bowing with Nicole Fanney in his understudy role)
An illness or injury to the person the understudy is covering isn’t the only reason understudies are used. I was on tour as a student with Pacific Northwest Ballet when a principal dancer broke her foot. Of course, I hadn’t been asked to learn the lead of the ballet–that was covered by another dancer. But the vacancy created had a trickle down effect and I was pulled into an entire act of a ballet as a result of an injury to a lead! I was prepared for this moment as a student by my experience understudying a variety of roles. And sometimes understudies who have been dilligent learners are given a show during the run to grow from being able to perform the role as well!
So the importance of understudies cannot be understated! We hope, as you are invited to understudy roles in Ballet Aligned’s Once Upon a Storytime Ballets, that you learn all you can, seek to master the steps (AND all the additional information and requirements of the role), and that you use this opportunity to gain the skills that will take you far in the ballet and performance worlds! Happy Dancing!