Video clip: stage tita files

I have been dancing with my now 6-year old niece, Berry, in our annual productions for both TEAM Dance Studio and Hampton Court Ballet, literally ever since she could walk. Of course that’s counting the time I brought her in with me on stage as one of Clara’s guests in a production of the Nutcracker that we did when she was just 1. That’s about 5 or so years of dancing alongside our little superstar, watching her from the wings, witnessing precious moments off stage and during rehearsals, guiding her and coaching her from the sides when she forgets her steps. I never thought I could enjoy it any other way, until I watched her dance in her first recital without me. Last Sunday June 14, at Hampton Court Ballet’s staging of Le Corsaire, I shared Berry’s recital experience not on stage but in the audience, as a first-time stage aunt.

As soon as Berry came on stage with her group to perform my all-time favorite pirates dance*, everything I knew about theatre audience etiquette went out the window. I whipped out my phone to take pictures and videos, called out “Go, Ber!” quite a number of times, and during the final bow cheered and clapped no end with all the moms and dads and grandparents and nannies as if we had just watched Lisa Macuja complete 32 fouettes.

Here’s one of the more tame videos I took last Sunday, with Berry dancing front and center. The little pro that she is, with a lifetime of dancing experience under her belt, Berry had the presence of mind to pick up someone’s headdress from the floor before they exited. Spoken like a true stage aunt, I know. Enjoy the video! –JJ

*Postscript: Incidentally, I had also just performed in Le Corsaire 2 years back with PBT, dancing the exact same part as Berry. Which made watching her dance it all the more amusing.

Market scene

With partner Mark Pineda as Birbanto

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More photos from the Berry dance archive!

With Berry’s cousin Sasha at Hampton Court Ballet’s Don Quixote 2013

Dancing the opening prayer at a family event 2012

The Jacintos and Berry at age 2, at production week of PBT’s Swan Lake 2011

Studio visit: PBT

You’re only one ballet class away from a good mood.

It is week 2 and we are on-edge with hitches on the on-going construction sprouting left and right. I decide to get away from the stress for a day by taking a trip to my home away from home, the PBT studio.

The vibe is spirited in that old familiar studio housed at the Meralco Theatre basement, with the company currently composed of young and energetic dancers all hooked on dance. Warm-up talk revolved around the recent Prix de Lausanne, humourously interjected with some biking anecdotes to break the die-hard balletomania atmosphere of their first work day of the week. A fun, muscle and memory jogging ballet class ensued c/o PBT’s well-loved ballet master, Anatoly, whom everyone fondly calls “Papa”. Stayed a while after class to watch rehearsals for their next show before merrily heading back home, refreshed and feeling 5 pounds lighter. -JJ

 

Warm-up

 

Kim’s back sore from the weekend’s Swan Lake rehearsal

 

Jimmy in all-white, spandex tights no less

 

Papa Anatoly after-class coaching

 

 

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The author has been training and dancing with the Philippine Ballet Theatre since her younger ballet years as a highschool student in the 1990s. She is currently guest artist, dancing in the company’s season productions at the CCP, whenever time permits.

PBT’s Swan Lake 2010 (photo credit: http://www.kerwinkaiser.com )