Chronos Project
Photo by: Bennyroyce Royon, Dancer: Erik Wagner
Hello Wingers,
Just wanted to share with you something I have been working on for the past month. I am producing a show called “Chronos Project” which is a shared evening of choreographic works between me, Nilas Martins, Monique Meunier, and Brian Gibbs. There are THREE evening performances (7:30pm) in April (22, 23, 24) at the intimate Speyer Hall at University Settlement on the Lower East Side (184 Eldridge Street).
The project will serve the creative needs of the Lower East Side community (Manhattan) by providing a high caliber contemporary dance performances, offer a job & performance opportunity to a group of talented and wonderful freelance dance artists, and support the creative needs of four emerging choreographers to cultivate their artistic voices.
I will post more information as time comes along. But please do keep in touch on Twitter, Facebook, my YouTube page! You can search me on all of these networks by typing “Bennyroyce Royon.” Also, please go to my website: www.bennyroyce.com.
Watch this one minute teaser video: Chronos Project Teaser Video
Enjoy!
San Francisco Ballet is jumping into the world of new media
I’m very excited to share a new section of San Francisco Ballet’s website that is dedicated strictly to new media!
http://www.sfballet.org/interact/index.asp
I believe that new media is a wonderful way for the ballet world to connect and I’m very happy to be part of a company that is exploring everything new media has to offer. Within this new section you can find videos, pictures, blogs, podcasts, and more. I would definitely suggest you check it out!
The Diamondback
Nicole Cerutti rocks my newest LOLAstretch design in photos by Steven Schreiber. The Diamondback is up on the site now for custom ordering! and for your enjoyment– some of good shots and some of the fun shots:
This is a favorite pose of mine, “the track start”, and it seems to never get old for me.
I swear I am not the mad tyrant I appear to be, just expressing myself.
This will only take a minute…………
jazzerinas can enjoy it too!
Yes, this style is baseball inspired–little did I know Nicole’s dad was a professional baseball player!
I always want an inverted shot……….and they are fun, but always better in theory for showcasing the product. Alas! I still love it.
Check out our fan page for more!
man redefined the music
HERE IT IS!! New music that David Molina & I composed for the Lorraine Hansbury Theatres Gala celebration of a Raisin In The Sun.
After the performance I scooted on over to table 44 where Hansbury family was seated and asked them what they thought of the work. Out of everyone in the room I wanted to know they’re opinions because I took such artistic liberties from such a famous monologue. To my surprise they were pleased with the re working and loved my fab dancer Michael Montgomery. The eldest sister told me that she could feel the drama and that the solo was well thought out which helped communicate the dialogue even better. That was the highlight of the evening for me. Not gonna lie…. i was slightly nervous because i did take a lot of artistic liberties with this project.
Thanks to Robert Birks and Stanley Williams for taken a chance on me. Also thanks to Micheal Montgomery, it was a pleasure to work with you. Glad that you enjoy my “language.”
B
Ps. I did not post the video, you will see it soon enough:)
Ballet Austin - Season Opener!
It seems like the beginning of the season has just flown by and all of a sudden we’re back in production week! Tonight we have our final dress rehearsal for our Season Opener which includes Swan Lake (Act II) and a world premiere of Stephen Mills’ new Firebird.
Pei-San Brown, our amazing Community Education Director, has created these awesome interactive sites for audiences to get more background about each ballet, some behind the scene images, and casting. Check them out here! (If your in the Austin area you can also get ticketing info via the link)
Ballet Austin last performed the full length Swan Lake my second season with the company. Honestly, when I heard Act II was coming around again, I was a little nervous because I remembered how difficult it was. This type of corps work is so gratifying when it all goes well but can be terrifying at the same time. No one wants to be the swan that is out of line or on the wrong music! Being on the shorter side has put me in front quite often and for most of the act I am one of the “line leaders”. I have to admit that earlier in the rehearsal process I led my line to the wrong stage markings. But my line diligently followed me, seemingly unphased! I was embarrassed and proud all at the same time and then promised not to do it again. =)
For the Firebird I’ve been lucky enough to create the role of the Tsarevna. It’s been a fascinating challenge creating a character from scratch. In some ways it’s a daunting responsibility, but then it can be freeing as there is no precident set for you to compare your interpretation. As usual, Stephen has been absolutely great. First, we lay the groundwork of movement, most of which he choreographed from the beginning to the end of the ballet this time, then we layer the characters on top. He gives us tidbits early on for us to contemplate, we go away and think about it, then bring something new to it the next day. He then says “yes”, “no”, “more of this”, “less of this” and so on.
Once again I get to have the unique opportunity to dance with my husband, as Prince Ivan, and this ballet will also mark my first stage kiss. Early rehearsals of this were kind of amusing because Paul and I generally keep PDAs to a minimum at work, then suddenly we’re kissing in the middle of the rehearsal studio! But as rehearsals moved on, and we started running the whole ballets and we had developed our characters a bit more, it all seemed perfectly natural.
Each of these ballets brings entirely different challenges. It’s sure to be both an exhausting and fulfilling weekend!
This afternoon I’ll be doing an internet Live Chat for “Avant le Weekend” at 3PM (Central) with Michael Barnes about this weekends upcoming performances. Stop by and post your questions and comments if you have the time!
Here are a few images from our last production of Swan Lake. All of these were actually taken by Paul while I was on “Swan Duty”.
Inga Lujerenko and Jim Stein as Odette and Prince Siegfried in 2005
2005: Michelle Thompson, Lisa Washburn, Allisyn Paino, & Ashley Lynn (who will make her Odette debut this weekend!)
2005: Margot Brown and Aara Krumpe (who will make her debut as the Firebird this weekend!)
Dress for Reality Success
I made this charcoal sheer mesh reverse wrap dress for LOLAliaison Melissa Sandvig. It is a pinch front halter dress that ties around the neck and wraps from front to back to tie at waist.
She will be wearing it tonight on SYTYCD–check it out and vote for her! She is the only classically trained lady left!
A Glimpse of My Year
I can hardly believe it… it’s been a whole year, and then some! As you can see, in my previous posts, it’s been so hard to keep you tuned in with all the changes in my life. I don’t think I will ever be able to catch you all up with everything that has happened in the past year, but hopefully giving you a glimpse will suffice.
The first tour for les Ballets de Monte-Carlo was to Ljubliana, Slovenia with Jean-Christophe’s, La Belle (Sleeping Beauty). When I think back on the tour, I felt like I was going to the first day of school after summer vacation. EVERY situation was new. New people, new places, new ballets, new teachers, new system, and a new way of working – everything was new, new, new!!! The change was scary and exhilarating all at once! The only comfort was knowing that others were going through the same thing with me. With every tour and new experience after the first, came the realization that change was inevitable, and it WAS the thing that sparked my move to BMC in the first place. I, of course, made comparisons from my past life to my new one, but eventually came to the understanding that in a change, nothing is better or worse – it’s just different. And that thought alone has opened up my life!
I guess if I were to talk about an initial hardship, it would be the language barrier. Simple everyday tasks like going to the grocery store or bank turned into a guessing game. I found myself (and still find myself at times) freezing up, and then asking, Parlez-vous anglais? Thankfully, a lot of people in the south of France and Monaco are english speaking, but in the long run it will not help me learn the language faster. I guess in the course of a year I can say that I understand French pretty well, but I don’t speak it - and this will take years!
In terms of company life, things are amazing! Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is remarkable. The work, the creativity, the people, the places… the list is endless. Jean-Christophe is a definitive artist. I could say a whole lot more, but feel I don’t need to. I just know BMC is a good fit for me!
On a whole different note - Those of you who are close to me know that I am an avid believer in “The Secret”, and for the last two or so years I have been using its principles to shape my life. Now, I am not here to preach it, but I will say that I believe in it whole-heartedly. The power of positive thinking and knowing how the laws of attraction work have forced me to look at my life (and future) with a fine-toothed comb. And in return, have made this past season, and also my future endeavors, quite clear. I guess my point in even bringing this all up, is that it has made my transition into this les Ballets de Monte-Carlo pretty seamless. If you haven’t heard of it, I highly recommend the book or DVD.
I don’t want to make this post too lengthy so I will try to show you through some pictures what I’ve done & seen. The world is definitely your oyster, and life is what you make it. If you crave change or are contemplating something, just do it. The outcome in learning is golden.
This is a picture from the our first tour. It is the set for JC’s La Songe (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). There is a very modern approach to all of the sets of his ballets. I love it. I feel it brings more attention the the dancers and their intentions.
This is a picture from the theater in Bologna, Italy. The picture doesn’t capture the beauty of this enchanting space. This is where we performed JC’s Romeo et Juliette. It was also my first time dancing on a raked stage!!! My turns were never so bad, but by day three I started to get the hang of it.
We traveled to two small cities on the north of France, and along the way (on a free day), a small group of us stopped in Paris for a day. This is my impression of Mary Tyler Moore in front of the Louvre. Oh, yeah, and the Louvre is not pink, haha.. it was a setting that the camera was on!
Earlier this year, I posted pictures of La Belle in Japan. Here is a fun picture from that tour! It was of one of the best tours this season - sometimes I don’t think I will ever grow up!
Me & Nathalie Nordquist before our debut in JC’s Altro Canto. This is one of my favorites of Maillot’s! This was in Valencia, Spain
On our last, and potentially best tour, we had one free day to explore. The dancers took it as an opportunity to go to the Dead Sea & Jerusalem. We packed on black mud from the earth all over our bodies (like a mask), then rinsed it off, and went to literally float in the salty water of Dead Sea. It was UNREAL. I wish that I could post more pictures from this tour - Performing La Songe, and experiencing Israel… la vie est belle!
And now, this is what we are currently doing. JC’s new creation, Men’s Dance for Women. It’s been wonderful to work on a “creation” with Jean-Christophe. The dancers are still fine tuning the choreography in this piece, and we always will be. Jean-Christophe has an intention for every step in this ballet which does two things - one, makes it easier to have an objective so we know why steps are executed in a certain way. And, two makes it a challenge to focus on that objective. It’s great fun!!
Hope you enjoyed my glimpse! Next for me is a small vacation & then a guesting with Ballet Hawaii!!! Very excited! Stay tuned…
Ballerina Project Posters
Dane Shitagi of the Ballerina Project and I have teamed up to make one of his beautiful images available at a price everyone can afford. They are on sale now for $18 now through July 31st and the first 200 will be signed! He is going to be overseeing the printing of these high-quality silk surfaced posters (33″x24″) and his iconic image of Violeta Angelova with Brooklyn in the background–yes, in a LOLAstretch leotard– will be a timeless addition to any home, art collection, dance school or store.
Enjoy!
xo
Candice
Pant Pioneering
A sketch of my new costumes for new work by Miro Magloire for New Chamber Ballet this weekend. This is the first time I have ever made them pants and this departure is very exciting for our partnership! It makes me feel like Kate Hepburn for a moment…..though I am opting for a cropped harem pant instead of her classic wide leg pleated pant.
Life ‘on the Dnieper’
This week has been a great discovery for us dancers at ABT. We have been working with Alexei Ratmansky for months on a new work called “On the Dnieper”, which premiered on June 1st. What was so great about working with him was being given the liberty to create something new. You can trust his ideas, so therefore you can allow yourself room to explore where the movement can go. I can tell you, from the first performance on June 1 to the second show, it felt MUCH more ‘in my body’. It always amazes me how many performances you have to go through before a role becomes your own. Or how you can finally play with the character after you get your initial nerves out and gather your bearings. Which is why I cannot imagine being on Broadway, doing some 400+ performances of the same show. Talk about liberties!
On one of my free nights, I caught a performance of Hair the musical. What an unbelievable cast! From the leads, to the ‘tribe’, as they call them, the singing was so AMAZING! It totally inspired me to ‘be free’ and ‘LET THE SUNSHINE IN’! They are nominated for 8 Tony awards, deservedly so. Good luck Hair!
