Behind the curtain

Viewed from behind the scenes, in the wings and on the practice floors of IU Bloomington’s Musical Arts Center, IU Home Pages photographer Paul Martens presents a few of the artists who were a part of the 2003 spring ballet production. In photos reminiscent of Edgar Degas’ impression of ballet dancers, the performers warm up and rehearse while teachers and coaches inspire young bodies and minds toward aesthetic, fluid motion.

	Step by step—backstage at the MAC, dancer Ameila Larkin considers her performance as she ascends the circular stairway leading from the dressing room to the rehearsal stage.
	Swan Lake ballet dancers Annie Lester, Dori Goldstein, Jenna Maule and Julie Brumfiel rehearse.
	Virginia Cesbron, chair of the Department of Ballet, instructs Gina Shiotani in correct form. Looking on is Megan Dickenson.
	In the company of dancers—expectation, wonder, resolution.
	Practice, practice, practice—professional ballet training requires mastering formal techniques, gestures and movements of grace and precision.
	IU professor of music, Violette Verdy (background, right), demonstrates for some of the cast of New Work. Verdy choreographed the work to Hummel’s Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra in E-Flat Major. She explains, “Each movement of the concerto will have its own feeling to maximize the display of the IU Ballet Theater dancers.” Verdy, a former prima ballerina and company director, has been serving the world of dance internationally as a teacher, choreographer, coach, author and lecturer for more than 55 years. She has been at the IU School of Music since 1996.
	Anticipation—Jill Marlow, Elizabeth Luse and Claire Bletze prepare to go on stage during a dress rehearsal for Swan Lake.
	Dori Goldstein (foreground) collects her thoughts.
The performance The 2003 spring ballet program was performed March 28-29, with Act II from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake staged by guest artist Julie Kent of the American Ballet Theatre. The choreography was by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, and the ballet mistress was Virginia Cesbron. Homage to Hummel was choreographed by Violette Verdy, with music by Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Four Temperaments was choreographed by George Balanchine, with music by Paul Hindemith. Staging was by Susan Pilarre, a former soloist with the New York City Ballet who has staged Balanchine repertory throughout the country.