BareFace | KSU | March 24

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 | 7:30PM

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

MARIETTA, GA

PERFORMANCES MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

DURING THE PERFORMANCE

PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY, AND CELL PHONE USE ARE NOT PERMITTED DURING THE PERFORMANCE.

As a courtesy to the dancers and your fellow patrons, please turn your cell phones on do not disturb before the performance. The taking of photographs (flash, non-flash, and otherwise) and the use of any type of recording device is prohibited during the performance and is a violation of state and federal copyright laws. Ballet 5:8 reserves the right to delete digital media and to confiscate tape or film recorded of the performance, as well as to escort any patrons using cell phones and/or recording devices out of the theater with no ticket refund provided.

YOU’RE INVITED THE TALKBACK

Directly after the performance, take part in a special Ballet 5:8 tradition: the TalkBack. During this open panel discussion, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager and Artists of the Company about your experience during the performance.

What did you see? What did the performance make you feel or think? What questions do you have? All comments and questions are welcome.

Ballet 5:8 is a female and minority-led premiere ballet company recognized for remarkable artistic excellence, innovation and beauty. Chicana Artistic Director, Julianna Rubio Slager, creates original and dynamic ballet experiences drawing from life, faith, current events and diverse perspectives that tell relevant stories of the 21st century. Rubio Slager brings to life ballets that are relatable and accessible to all people, delighting both the seasoned balletomane and the first time audience. Since its founding in 2012, Ballet 5:8 has presented more than 45 critically acclaimed ballets forging a robust repertoire, engaging and captivating communities in Chicago, the Midwest and across the nation. Headquartered in Orland Park, IL, Ballet 5:8 is the only performing arts company in Chicago’s South Suburbs serving more than 400 students a year as a cultural staple in the community. The School also has a Beverly Campus on Chicago’s South Side raising up the next generation of aspiring artists.

JULIANNA RUBIO SLAGER

Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager is originally from Spring Arbor, Michigan. Rubio Slager began her dance training with Mrs. Lori Ladwig and went on to study under notable teachers from the New York City Ballet, the Vaganova Academy and Puerto Rican National Ballet. Rubio Slager enjoyed dancing under Barbara Smith at Greater Lansing Ballet during her training, and also under Kathy Thibodeaux and Sol Maisonet at Ballet Magnificat. Upon moving to Chicago, Rubio Slager had the opportunity to work as a freelance artist, teacher and choreographer in the Greater Chicago area.

Rubio Slager was instrumental in the co-founding of Ballet 5:8 in 2012. Rubio Slager is known for her unique ability to engage audiences in discussions of life and faith through her choreography. She has created over 45 works in her past ten years at Ballet 5:8. Ballet 5:8 tours nationally, bringing Rubio Slager‘s critically acclaimed ballets such as Reckless, Butterfly, The Space in Between, Scarlet and Compass to audiences across the nation. Rubio Slager has won several grants from the Illinois Arts Council and was selected for the DCASE Individual Artist Grant in 2015.

Rubio Slager is a groundbreaking figure within the field, as one of the few Mexican American Artistic Directors and Resident Choreographers of professional ballet companies in the world. She hopes that her leadership and creative work at Ballet 5:8 will pave the way for other women and minorities in professional ballet.

Over the past decade Rubio Slager has enjoyed training and mentoring the next generation of aspiring artists in the School of Ballet 5:8‘s Pre-Professional and Conservatory programs, and in the Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program. Her students have been awarded contracts, scholarships and placement with dance companies, colleges and training schools across the country.

Julianna Rubio Slager Co-Founder & Artistic Director

Jeremy Slager Executive Director

Lauren Diaz Operations Director

Libby Dennen Rehearsal Director

Cynthia Newland, President Founder & Director, Alible3 and Dancer Wellness Care. Dance Faculty, Belhaven University and Palm Beach Atlantic University

BALLET 5:8 STAFF

Sarah L. Freeman Stage & Production Manager

Lezlie Gray Social Media Associate

Kayla Kowach Executive Adminstrative Associate

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mia Kay Calabrese, Secretary

Founder, Tendu by Miss Mia Director of Operations, Colorado Ballet Society

Laura Peterman Willis Communications Coordinator

Lorianne Robertson Resident Costume Designer, Head of Wardrobe

Caitlin Wuethrich, Treasurer CEO, Caitlin Wuethich Media

Are you passionate about the arts and have time to volunteer your passion, leadership and expertise? Ballet 5:8 is looking to expand our Board of Directors. Read a full Board Member job description on ballet58.org/jobs or send an email to president@ballet58.org with an inquiry.

THE DANCERS ARTISTS OF THE COMPANY

The BareFace cast is additionally joined by Ballet 5:8 Trainee Christian English.

Ballet 5:8 Second Company

Grace Blando

Katrina Clarke

Margaret Fitz

Annaliese Hunter

Molly McGuerty

Morgan Rice

Caedence Sajdowitz

Gabrielle Timm

Elizabeth Tjia

Rachel Walker

Marissa Woo

Melanie Rodrigues Company Artist

Ellington Nichols Company Artist

James Wainwright Company Artist

Sophia Snider Company Artist

Ford Tackett Company Artist

Sarah Clarke Solo Artist

Miranda Rubio Company Artist

Lezlie Gray Company Artist

Kayla Kowach Company Artist

Johnathan Bostelman Company Artist

Laura Peterman Willis Company Artist

Libby Dennen Solo Artist

Valerie Linsner Solo Artist

Elizabeth Marlin Solo Artist

Samuel Opsal Solo Artist

Ruth Sevlie Company Apprentice

Natalie Chinn Company Apprentice

Lydia Lund Company Apprentice

BAREFACE HAS TWO ACTS AND A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION. ACT I IS 75 MINUTES LONG AND ACT II IS 60 MINUTES.

PLEASE ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE!

BAREFACE

Choreography and Lighting: Julianna Rubio Slager

Costumes: Lorianne Robertson | Props: Sarah L. Freeman

Scenery: Sarah L. Freeman, Graham Louthan Scenic Design, special thanks to Gergana Khouchaba & Sophia Snider

Projections: Sarah L. Freeman, Julianna Rubio Slager

Music: René Abury, Olafur Arnalds, Pieter-Jan Van Assche, Ezio Bosso, Jóhan Jóhannsson, Julia Kent, Meredi, Felix Rösch, Fazil Say, Sufjan Stevens

Copyright Julianna Rubio Slager (2023), All Rights Reserved.

CAST

ORUAL | Sarah Clarke

PSYCHE | Elizabeth Marlin

REDIVAL | Valerie Linsner

CUPID | James Wainwright

KING TROM | Jonathan Bostelman

THE FOX | Ford Tackett

THE NEW QUEEN | Lezlie Gray

ORUAL’S MOTHER | Ruth Sevlie

BATTA | Libby Dennen

BARDIA | Samuel Opsal

ANSIT | Miranda Rubio

THE PRIEST OF APHRODITE | Kayla Kowach

TRUNIA | James Wainwright

APHRODITE | Played by a mannequin

PALACE SLAVES | Katrina Clarke, Gabby Timm, Marissa Woo

MINERS | Natalie Chinn, Lezlie Gray, Kayla Kowach, Ellington Nichols, Laura Peterman Willis, Melanie Rodrigues, Sophia Snider, Rachel Walker

NOBILITY | Christian English, Lydia Lund, Laura Peterman Willis, Melanie Rodrigues, Caedence Sajdowitz, Ruth Sevlie

Meet the Characters

Check out this video for a brief introduction to the citizens of Glome.

Act One begins with Orual making her case before Cupid that he has treated her unjustly. The story rewinds to Orual’s childhood and we see Psyche’s birth, the death of the new queen, and Orual’s relationships with Redival, the Fox, and her father King Trom. Glome faces a plague and drought among the miners, which is cast away by Psyche’s loving touch. This angers Aphrodite and leads to the sacrifice of Psyche to Cupid. Afterward, Orual and Bardia travel up the mountain to bury Psyche, but she is alive. She claims to live in a magical palace with Cupid, her husband, whose only rule is that she cannot see his face. Orual catches a glimpse of Psyche’s palace, but refuses to believe in it and tells the Fox it does not exist.

Act Two begins with Orual’s second trip up the mountain, where she convinces Psyche to uncover Cupid’s face to prove he is real. Psyche is exiled and Orual hears constant wailing. Orual chooses to wear a veil permanently as a sign of her grief. King Trom becomes sick and dies, making Orual queen. Soon after Queen Orual meets Trunia, an exile from a neighboring kingdom, and she defends his life, cementing her role as Queen among the people. The ballet fast-forwards through the majority of Orual’s reign. Nearing the end of her life, she travels and meets a traveling theater group who tells her the Myth of Cupid and Psyche but with Orual as the villain. Bardia dies unexpectedly. Bardia’s wife, Ansit, and Orual have a confrontation, and Orual starts to recognize that her “love” for Bardia was not as pure as she thought. The Queen begins to have strange visions, imagining her face as that of Aphrodite, realizing the cruelty of her own actions. She appears in the courtroom before Cupid, but instead of a case against him, she is only holding a small, worn out scroll that reveals her own jealous actions. In a climatic reversal, Cupid reveals his face to Orual and meets her with love and compassion as she takes her last breath.

Rubio Slager was inspired by the classic Cupid and Psyche myth as well as C.S. Lewis’ interpretation of that myth in his novel, Till We Have Faces. We highly recommend reading Till We Have Faces to further experience the depth of the characters in Glome and their interpretation of love. Additionally, check out Season 3 of the Pints with Jack podcast where the hosts discuss each chapter of Till We Have Faces alongside C.S. Lewis experts. For a plot summary of Till We Have Faces please visit the blog on Pints with Jack.

As a 501(c)(3) Ballet 5:8 is partially supported by individual donors Our donors make it possible for Ballet 5:8 to create art that matters. The mission is possible because of their ongoing support. Can you join us in making ballets that spark discussions of life and faith today?

WAYS TO GIVE

• Visit ballet58.org/donate

• Text GIVE to 312-584-2615

• Visit the Front of House team

• Write a check payable to Ballet Five Eight NFP

Additional Ways to Support Ballet 5:8 Matching Funds

Many employers match charitable donations or volunteer hours. Please reach out to your Human Resources department to inquire if your donation can be matched.

Donor Advised Funds

As a 501(c)(3) we are eligible to receive donations from donor-advised funds. Please contact your account manager for more infromation.

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Thrivent Choice Dollars

Are you a Thrivent Member? You can elecet your Choice Dollars to benefit Ballet 5:8. Find us on their list as Ballet Five Eight NFP.

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