BALLETTAN on tour (Part 1)

As you might have noticed in the "About Me" section of my blog, I consider myself an aspiring dancer, or at least I'm trying to be. I am currently part of a mini dance company named BALLETTAN and I think it is about time I told you about it.

 Our Central Square BALLETTAN poster

One of my dance instructors, Yiannis Margaronis, is the founder of this company. Undertaking the roles of artistic director, choreographer and ballet master, he has a number of performances in his history since the company was first established in 2004, earning it a good reputation throughout the city of Thessaloniki. Quite a few dancers have passed through the company, this being my second year, but at the moment there are only four of us. Initially, someone would probably ask themselves "how in the world can you have a dance company consisting of only four dancers?", but in my opinion, I think we couldn't be better off.

This year we have been working on a new two-pieced perfomance, the first one named "Looking back, I moved on", the second "In my present I stand alone". The preparation behind these choreographies really helped us grow as dancers and the experience gained could only have a positive effect. The fact that there aren't many of us may have its difficulties, mostly limiting choreografic options, but on the other hand, I think that we have an advantage that other companies in Thessaloniki aren't fortunate enough to have. Our strong point is the bond between us, not only as dancers, but as friends. The fact that we can communicate well in such an environment and help each-other without the slightest hint of jealousy or competitiveness, takes our relationship beyond the typical dancer-to-dancer relationship.

BALLETTAN: Me, Fenia, George and Mika

Last week, April 21st, we presented this new production for the first time to a new audience in Orestiada. It was the first time I was travelling to another city for a performance, and the nerves were coming down hard, because it's harder to impress an audience that is watching you for the first time and doesn't know you personally; in Thessaloniki performances, all your friends and family come to see you, and only few of them will point out weak points. Everyone else will just comment on how lovely you looked and how they were blown away by the music.

When we first arrived in Orestiada, a car came to pick us up and take us to our hotel. It was only a five minute walk, but they insisted on driving us. That's something I definitely won't forget; how hospitable and accommodating everybody was. They treated us as if we were top-notch principle dancers, always with a smile on their face, ready to satisfy our every wish. It was strange being treated like that. It didn't feel normal. But I was glad to see that at least some people in the Greek Arts field can be real professionals.

Fenia & George mucking around on stage

Later that day, after we had eaten lunch and taken a nap at the hotel, the four of us went to find Yianni at the theatre for our rehearsal. We had been informed in advance that the stage floor was wooden, so we had rosin with us, just in case it was slippery. Unfortunately, once we stood on the stage and started examining the friction with different ballet steps and turns, we knew we had a problem. Even after rubbing rosin on the soles of our shoes and socks, some parts of the stage still remained slippery. There wasn't really anything we could do about it though, and that's when the tension started to rise.

We started our warm-up lesson, and then continued with a placing walk-through of the choreography, just to get used to the new dimensions. We later changed into our costumes and prepared for the dress rehearsal. While I was in the wings, waiting for the music to start, I could feel my legs trembling and found it hard to stand still. I ignored the feeling, knowing it would all disappear once I was on stage. But when I stepped out, it was still there. I finished my first appearance, it still hadn't budged.

I couldn't put my finger on what was bothering me during that dress rehearsal. But I could see that the others were having the same problem as me. "This is a disaster", was all I could think of, seeing myself and my dance-mates making mistake after mistake, after mistake. The floor was slippery, the lights were too bright, the music sounded different, our energy was lousy. As the dress rehearsal came to a close, I was left with a rotten feeling, thinking that tomorrow's performance would be, if not like today's uncoordinated rehearsal, then worse.