On Thursday evening, February 27th, the students of the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program had the unique privilege of attending a ballet at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, along with the director of the Honors Program, Dr. Cynthia Wachtell. The performance lasted two hours and consisted of three different ballet pieces: Bal de Couture, Danse a Grande Vitesse, and The Four Seasons.
Before the show, the students had the opportunity to speak with a performer and soloist in the first ballet, Ashley Laracey. Ashley, who is now thirty years old, shared her story with the Honors students. She began ballet at age five, and attended a boarding school specializing in ballet for high school, where she graduated valedictorian of her class, both in academics and in dance. She’s been dancing for the New York City Ballet Company since 2002, and was promoted just last year to a soloist.
The students then had a Q&A session with Ashley, where one student asked about her favorite thing about being a ballerina. Ashley responded that what she loves most is the challenge of being a professional dancer, and the devotion needed in order to succeed. In response to another student’s question about the prevalence of eating disorders in dancers, Ashley opened up to the group and told them that she suffered from anorexia in her teen years. She explained that there is a lot of pressure on ballerinas to look good and stay thin, but that a dancer’s talent and hard work are what really matter. Now that she is more experienced and healthy, she serves as a role model and advice-giver to younger dancers who may have body image issues and eating disorders.
Ashley then led the students backstage, where they were able to take pictures and experience a little piece of what performers feel while they are on stage.
Finally, it was 7:30, and time for the show to begin. The Honors students took their seats as the first piece began. It was a fashion show inspired dance, in which all the costumes were designed by Valentino. The women wore big, puffy dresses and the men were in sleek suits. It was a fun and vibrant performance to watch, and an inspiring one for those interested in fashion.
The second piece was rather modern and focused on the dancers’ bodies with fast paced choreography, making it interesting and exciting to watch. It included complicated steps, jumps, and spins, and intricate group movement.
The final dance was split into four parts, each symbolizing one of the four seasons. It was a very elegant and beautiful visual experience, with colorful costumes corresponding to each of the seasons. There was a floral set design to accompany the ambiance.
Overall, the Honors Program trip to the ballet at Lincoln Center was an enchanting and memorable one.