If dance were easy they’d call it football. People so often forget that ballet is rigorous and difficult, both mentally and physically. This weekend was proof of that. Thomas Gant, who we have been rehearsing the Snow Pas de Deux with since last month, has suffered an injury to his back. Unfortunately, he will not be performing the Snow Pas, at least not this upcoming weekend. I was very much looking forward to performing it with him after we have worked so hard to get every detail right. He has a stage presence and quality to his dancing that fit the choreography perfectly. But thankfully, Alex DiMattia has stepped in to perform. He is a strong and diligent partner and I’m grateful for that because otherwise I might be nervous to perform the Pas with only a few days rehearsal with a new partner…..Well, I’m still going to be nervous! But that is the way it works in ballet and in life….one day you’re putting the finishing touches on Snow Pas and the next you’re starting fresh.

Now, with all these new developments behind the scenes… who could possibly call ballet boring?

Theater week is finally here and I know the cast is excited. There’s always a new energy when you go from the studio to the theater. I guess it’s sort of like running on a treadmill compared to running outside in a race…or a scrimmage compared to a championship game. I trust that Donna and Nancy will help us to get everything to come together over these next few days. And I believe our cast of hardworking dancers and actors, and my new partner, will work together well to make that happen!

- Alexa