University Ballet of Chicago Presents: Raymonda

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For the first show of our 2015 - 2016 season, University Ballet of Chicago Presents Raymonda!

It is the height of the Fifth Crusade. War threatens to keep Crusader Knight Jean de Brienne and his beloved, Raymonda, apart. The arrival of an enigmatic foreigner jeopardizes Raymonda’s happiness--forever. Set to Alexander Glazunov’s brilliant score and adapted from Marius Petipa’s legendary choreography, witness the valiant triumph of devotion over deceit in the Holy War.

I myself danced two roles in this show: as an emissary featured in the Grand Pas Hongrois, and also as one of the maidens in the Valse Provençale. The Grand Pas is indeed one of my favorite ballet scenes, and the music is so very beautiful, so I was very exited to have the opportunity to perform it!

Much of the costuming was very frantic and last-minute, but we managed to pull it together in the end! Here is the outfit for the Valse maidens.





For the Grand Pas, I spent the last couple of days before the show making the sparkle fabric overlays for the tutus, as well as the matching armbands and fan-shaped headpieces for all of the women.










I had fun dancing, the show came together just in time, and I had lots of friends and family come see me! Also, best partner ever ^_^

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