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!
Dancing for Haiti
It’s horrible to hear of the tragedy in Haiti and how the devastation continues for the people who suffered from the earthquake recently - but it’s even more of a shock to know someone closer to home, in our own tight NYC dance community, who was hit personally by the aftermath.
The Haitian dance teacher at The Ailey Extension Program, Peniel Guerrier, apparently lost family members in the devastation and knows others in trouble there. Fortunately Ailey has donated time and space to offer a big benefit performance evening, with all ticket proceeds going directly to those in need in Haiti.
Though I’ve never taken Peniel’s class, I always feel a personal loss when I hear of sad news in the dance community (like the recent death of my teacher’s great ballet teacher, Dick Andros). The dance world is so small and I’ve somehow developed that strong empathy for those who’ve lost - so I am very glad to know I can do something myself to help this time.
I’ll be performing in the 9:30pm benefit performance this Saturday night (Jan. 23), and I’m really looking forward to being part of the cause. I’ll be dancing one of my favorite variations - Kitri’s Act 3 Variation from Don Quixote - coached by my amazing teacher, Kat Wildish.
If you’re in the city and want to give, I highly recommend coming to either the 7pm or my 9:30pm performance that night. A whole slew of talent is performing. Cash donations are also being accepted at the Ailey Extension front desk at their studios. Purchase tickets (and see more info) here.
My First Nutcracker with San Francisco Ballet
I survived – I made it through my first Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet! While I have been participating in productions of “The Nutcracker” since I was seven years old, this was my first full run as a company member in an American Company. San Francisco Ballet puts on 31 shows of this holiday tradition and I got the chance to perform in almost all of them. While I did some roles more than others, I was very happy with the variety of parts and opportunities I received. My roles this year included party parent, maid, ballerina doll, snow, flowers, and Spanish.
Nutcracker is a tradition that is filled with opportunities. There are opportunities for the dancers, for the school, as well as for the audience. I have heard countless stories of little girls and boys seeing “The Nutcracker” as their first ballet and having dreams planted in their heads after that special show. Little boys go home wanting to be the prince, or maybe the rat king, and little girls dream of becoming the next sugar plum fairy. Knowing that I had the opportunity to influence a young child was one of the most important things that kept my spirits high during all 31 shows. As a performing artist, I have the opportunity to influence many people, young and old, and that is something that I try to never forget.
Happy Holidays from Radio City!
Wow, long time no post!
I’m in the middle of my 2nd season dancing in the ensemble of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular here in NYC, and it’s going so well! We’ve already done about 70 shows, and we only have 2 weeks left to go - but I don’t want it to end! It’s been such an amazing season so far (even better than the new excitement of round one last year) and though I have so much to write about, there just isn’t time. So here are a few pictures to enjoy…I hope you all have a very happy holiday season! And do try to make it to the show if you’re in town - it definitely puts you in the Christmas mood! 
Tech rehearsal for our scene in Central Park (I’m on the left in pink)
Bear heads lined up for rehearsal
Our cast is the “Gold Cast,” so on our last day of rehearsal in the studio, everyone wore gold! Team spirit!
Action shot of us “ballerina bears” in the Nutcracker scene (I’m on the right).
Home sweet home.
The Rockettes as Wooden Soldiers.
My dressing room mirror, complete with my favorite gingerbread latte
A friend and I at our opening night party!
What I look out at for 17 shows a week!
Bears!
I’m Mary in the famous Nativity scene.
I’m going to try to post a few more pictures before the end of the run…bear with me (pun intended) Have a happy holiday and a happy new year!
PS- check out an interview I did for Culturebot…and you can read more about my day-to-day fun at the theater on Twitter.
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!
Ballet Austin - Michelle Surgery Diary Entry #6
My apologies for posting this so late!
The weekend of our Season Opener performances (in early October) Michelle wrote what will essentially be her final “diary entry”. We wanted to include pictures of her performing and of her still healing scar.
A big thanks to Michelle for letting me post her story on The Winger. Surgery and recovery is such an emotional experience, and everyone’s road is different. You surely haven’t seen the last of Michelle on The Winger, because I doubt I’ll be able to keep myself from sharing in her future successes. Now for Michelle’s Diary Entry!
“This is my scar now after almost 6 months. Looks so much better, but I don’t want any of you out there to be alarmed about the thickness and redness of my scar. My body naturally creates Keloid scars. If you don’t have a natural tendency to form Keloid scars, your surgery scar will probably be much smaller, lighter, and smother. Keloids usually run in your genes or happen more frequently in certain ethnic groups. Keloids happen when the skin is injured in some way, and the body creates a a rubbery, red, thick, abnormal scar that grows beyond the boundary of the original site. They can be tricky little guys to tame, but I want my scar to be a smooth as possible not because I care about the way it looks but because I want maximum mobility in my ankle. If the scar won’t budge because it is so thick, then my ankle will have less mobility. I have been using Curad Scar Therapy clear pads which have been proven to help reduce raised, colored, and Keloid scars. My swelling, scar, and scar tissue will also continue to improve up to a year after my surgery date. Wish me luck!”
Michelle's Surgery Scar
“So, it has been almost 6 months since my surgery and I performed on stage at the Long Center with Ballet Austin this past weekend. Very exciting. This was not just any show either, the show included a great deal of pointe work, petite allegro, bourées, and standing on one leg for a very long time. The performance included the second act of Swan Lake (I was one of the 4 little swans) and a new production of the Firebird (I was one of the princesses in the corps). I would say I performed without limitations and felt very strong. There were definitely times during the process where my ankle would be swollen and stiff, but I kept up with my icing, exercises, and anti-inflammatory ibuprofen. It will continue to improve and I must continue with all the recommended exercises and icing. It was very emotional when I saw Shannon, one of my physical therapists, on opening night. She hugged me and we both began to cry. It was a fight to get strong again and all of my therapists were right behind me supporting me all the way. Being on stage this weekend really solidified my status as a healthy and strong dancer once again. I look forward to many more performances to come.
Thanks for your support,
Michelle”
Some images of Michelle in action this past October. Images courtesy of Tony Spielberg.
Little Swans from Left to Right: Michelle Thompson, Jaime Lynn Witts, Chelsea Renner, and Beth Terwilleger
Little Swans from Left to Right: Michelle Thompson, Jaime Lynn Witts, Chelsea Renner, and Beth Terwilleger
Little Swans from Left to Right: Michelle Thompson, Jaime Lynn Witts, Chelsea Renner, and Beth Terwilleger
Opening Night of “Itutu” at BAM
It’s my day off today, and I plan to do nothing except try to see a masseur or a physical therapist. My back is super sore and my left calf won’t release me of it’s grip. I am in pain. The usual. But, I was really happy to see my friends last night who came to see me perform in the opening night of “Itutu.” It’s always an extra boost to know that friends and family are in the audience watching. The house was full! I think our company did exceptionally well last night. I could feel the “mystic cool” energy from everyone, including the audience.
It’s been a dream of mine to dance at the BAM stage! I am truly blessed. Two more shows and it’s over.
Come see us!
Update
Hey.
Being ADHD and all everyone knows that I keep myself busy. With that said this weekend is the culmination of a lot of work.
For starters I have a silent involvement in a sketch comedy troupe called the S.H.I.T show that runs Friday and Saturday the rest of the month (started the 1st). Working with actors has been one of the best working experiences I have ever had. Not too mention I was laughing the entire time. When I did come up for air I would tell them “guys, im just a vessel” and we’d move on. Shout out to Ray and Evan for becoming the movement and surviving our “meeting” at the Pirate Ship?
Another project that is going down this weekend is very special to me. I have had the privilege to get invited to set a piece for the Lorraine Hansbury foundation annual fundraising gala this year at the Ritz Carlton. For anyone who does not know Lorraine Hansbury is a very famous Afro-American playwright whom wrote A Raisin in The Sun, which my commission is based off of. The multi-talented Director of the Lorraine Hansbury Theatre Stanley Williams and I have had many discussions about my involvement with the theatre and how im supposed to help usher in a new audience because my work is “edgy” or “progressive”. Not too big on those description of my work because that puts me out of the status quo. However I am very relieved to see an organization willing to take a chance and shake things up and do something new. I was telling Stanley that for this piece I want to have the monologue from A Raisin in The Sun be read by an actor much like spoken word. Within the context of the monologue that I have been working off of with my dancer and getting back ground insight into the minds of the characters from Stanley I noticed that having just text alone would not be enough to suffice this project. Needed to do something more so I told Stanley that I envision base, percussions and cello sneaking in and out of the background. Comparable to Mingus or cars been stuck in traffic jam blarring their horns. Only after I had completed the choreographic end with my dancer Michael Montgomery did I get in contact with Mr. David Molina a freelance music producer whom just got back from a project at Yale. Molina, Stanley and I spoke about what I had in mind for the dance so that musically speaking I will be able to set up the right tone and atmosphere for the piece to exist. We planned to meet later the following week in his studio to knock out the recording process. Originally a female actress read the monologue but it did not match what I was going for. I had Stanley read the whole entire rehearsal process and settled my movement in his deep baritone voice. Made sense to use him for the recording too. At the studio I had Stanley read a few times with some voice inflections with certain words to give it a lil more punch. I even got to do some beat boxing (my strange breath heavy attempts) and screaming falsetto that will sneak in and out the music. I’m glad that I have the trust from the director for full artistic range because I had him doing some funny lil things:) Today I looked online and the Gala is completely sold out. I will have the honor of having the opportunity to show the old mayor of SF Willie Brown and the current mayor Gavin Newsome my work and that’s pretty dope. The same night I have the same solo being performed in a different venue with other dancers/choreographers from the SF bay area. The only difference is that im having female dance the part that was originally choreographed for a man. Everyone who could not make it to the gala will have the chance to see the same piece danced and I suggest that you all go because im very proud of the work.
The end of the month I will be dancing in my 1st 20minute joint titled “MicroMachines and Dinosaurs” more on that later along with some other surprises that will be traveling me and dancer Alex Jenkins to the east coast. All I will say about that is……. that it’s a bit “NUTTY”.
micheal rehearsing with the Director Stanley Williams in the background
me in the studio. Sometimes you have to just feel it.
keep on keepin on.
Wait…..I dont have a date for the gala yet!!!!!
B
heres a link to my blog that i update with all the show info on the sidebars. http://tagsf-noexpct.blogspot.com/
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!)
First Tour - Bucharest!
Me and Gaby Baars working on just simply walking in the ball. It’s actually quite difficult!!
Just a quick post to let you know what les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is up to! This past Sunday I was fortunate enough to re-work La Belle on our first tour this season in Bucharest, Romania. Like every ballet you revisit, there is a chance raise the level since the last performance. Quite honestly, it was really tough starting the season with such a hard ballet. It takes a bit to get fully back into shape, so by the next time we do La Belle I will have better stamina and shape, and raising the bar will not be so tough! La Belle is really one of the hardest ballets I have ever done - It’s right up there with Swan Lake. Nevertheless, I felt pretty good going into it by the time the day of the show came around, and was SO relieved and grateful to be able to get through it. At the heart of it though, I still have so much to work on. As I explained in my last post about La Belle, by the time third act rolls around, there are only three people carrying the ballet, and this is the major chunk of that I have to work on. Keeping the audience engaged for a full act and just three dancers is not an easy task. I have to be able to show different levels in my dancing, and I have a tendency to keep things square in terms of musicality and choreographic phrasing. I think every dancer does this in order to try be at ease in a piece, but that is the very thing I need to get away from. Otherwise, I will never advance. And what’s the point of repeating something if you’re just trying to make it easier for yourself? Pushing boundaries is what dance is about for me lately, and I am so happy to have this chance. It’s good to be back!!!
