This weekend, In honor of The School of Richmond Ballet’s 40th Anniversary, students from The School (SRB) will perform The Enchanted Toy Shop, a popular production originally envisioned by Richmond Ballet Artistic Director Stoner Winslett, that tells the story of a whimsical, old-fashioned toy shop as it comes to life through the magic of a group of spritely fairies. Dolls from around the world join dolls from favorite fairy tales, then awake to dance the night away!
There are 12 dolls in total, and all dolls will be available for bidding at the silent auction. The starting price is yet to be determined but the winning package includes these beautiful handmade costumes, fitted for American Girl Dolls, and the doll itself (not an American Girl Doll – she is a stand-in but a comparable size).
There are 12 dolls in total, and all dolls will be available for bidding at the silent auction. The starting price is yet to be determined but the winning package includes these beautiful handmade costumes, fitted for American Girl Dolls, and the doll itself (not an American Girl Doll – she is a stand-in but a comparable size).
American Girl Doll costumes that will be on display, all inspired by our Enchanted Toy Shop characters. We are auctioning off all of the handmade costumes (and a doll) at both performances this weekend.
A costume for each doll character in The Enchanted Toyshop has been created, including costumes for a Toy Soldier, Puppenfee (puppets), Bride attendant, Fairy Ballerina, Puss N’ Boots & White Cat, Scottish Reel, French Can Can, and Cinderella. A mother of a School of Richmond Ballet student, Julie Helmer, is making the costumes.
Read our interview with Cody that ran last year to learn more about one of the dancers .
1. How long have you been dancing and when did you start?
I have been dancing since I was six years old. So I suppose that makes 20 years that I've been dancing. Of those 20 years the last 8 have been professionally dancing.
2. What got you interested in dance?
I can honestly say I don't know. I told my mom when I was two years old I wanted to be a ballet dancer and I've never veered from that dream. I remember having a stuffed animal that was from the movie Fantasia…it was one of the hippo ballerinas. I also loved watching [New York City Ballet’s] The Nutcracker with Macaulay Culkin. So those movies might have inspired me, but I can't say for sure.
3. How often do you dance in a day/week?
Well, this is my full time job so I go in at 9am, have a technique class at 10 for an hour and a half and then have 6 hours of rehearsal Monday through Friday. Sometimes we have to work Saturdays and Sundays too, but not all the time.
4. What is your favorite performance that you have been in?
I have so many favorites, so let me just choose a few. I loved performing in Salvatore Aiello’s The Rite of Spring, the group energy was so powerful and driven; that was an awesome experience. I also loved performing George Balanchine’s Mozartiana, something so challenging stamina-wise, yet still really beautiful and playful. And one more, I love performing Ma Cong’s ballets [such as Lift The Fallen, which will be performed again in May of this year for the China tour preview performances] as well. He chooses the most moving pieces of music to dance to.
5. What do you have to do to prepare for a show?
I'm a little bit superstitious, so when performing if I do some before the run of a dress rehearsal I have to do it before every show too! And I never add more, if I didn't do it during the dress rehearsal I don't do it before the show either.
6. What is something interesting people may not know about the world of ballet?
Ballet takes a lot of drive. When trying to get a job in a professional company, it can seem as though you get so many rejection letters. But you have to keep going. And then once you do get a job, everyday you go in, you get notes and then you are told to do things differently. Sometimes it's a bit discouraging. But at the end of everyday you have to realize that in ballet, you are always striving to for perfection, which is pretty unattainable, but also a great driving force.
7. Do you get to travel abroad? If so where?
The Company toured to London a few years ago, where we performed at the famous Covent Garden. And this May, we are going to China. We will be performing in 4 cities. I'm really excited.
8. How long did it take you to become a Professional Dancer?
Again, I have been dancing since I was six years old, so that makes 20 years that I've been dancing!
9. What are your favorite steps to perform?
Chaîné turns [small, tight turns done en pointe, linked together in a chain-like pattern]. And anything with a partner: pirouettes, promenades, and especially lifts.
10. How did you know you wanted to be a professional dancer?
I always knew I wanted to be a ballerina, and after going through years of training and auditioning my dream never changed. So I'm not sure how I knew, I just did!
11. What was your proudest moment?
My proudest moment would be soon after getting hired by Richmond Ballet, when we were performing in a Studio One performance early in the season, and it hit me that all that I had worked for was really happening. All those years of hoping and I finally made it!
12. Do you have any tips/advice for aspiring dancers?
Don't give up. It won't be easy and you'll definitely have to work for it, but it's really rewarding. Also, this career is challenging in that you will always be striving for more, and never stop learning. There will always be another level to achieve.
