Meet the Characters | Reckless

Hear from the dancers about the characters they are portraying in Julianna Rubio Slager’s newest work, Reckless. Company Apprentice Katelyn Roth shares about his character.

1. What role/character will you be dancing in Reckless?

I get to play a part of the additional street scene cast. This means I help amplify what is happening in the main story. The fun thing about being part of the street scene cast is that I play many characters throughout the ballet! My three characters are abuse, a member of the brothel, and various inanimate objects. First, I am seen when Gomer has a memory from her childhood, and in the flashback you see Gomer's subconscious remembering the sexual abuse she had as a child. My character represents the person, whoever it may be, that started the cycle of abuse for Gomer. Second, my character's name is Adrienne and she has found herself as a victim of human trafficking. She had boyfriends who pushed substances and physical intimacy on her during her teen years. After failing out of college, Adrienne worked the streets for money and overtime got involved with a pimp and is now part of a brothel. Third, I get to play various street scene objects. This varies from being a pillar on the platform of a train station to being the chair at a tattoo parlor, or a street lamp. These objects that I embody help the audience get a sense of the atmosphere the characters are in at that given time of the ballet. 

2. How did you research/prepare for your role? What is something that stood out to you in your research?

Much of the research came from watching videos about the topic. Julianna Slager, the artistic director, sent out some information to help us start the process of research. Whether that be informational videos by people with knowledge of the industry, interviews of victims who have escaped the life, or interviews with pimps. Something that shocked me during my research was the interviews with the pimps. They all see this as a 'legit' way of making money and see themselves as successful. They don't see what they are doing as wrong Some even think of themselves as treating their women right because they pamper them or give them a place to stay. 

3. Describe the movement/style of the choreography. Is it different/the same as what you've done before? What is the most challenging aspect of the ballet?

The movement style is edgy and fun to watch. The movement has a more everyday humanistic style to it which is a bit different than I am personally used to doing. I anticipate the story content to be the most difficult aspect of the ballet. Much like Butterfly, the ballet has an important story, but it is one that is hard to stomach. It looks at a part of the world that is ugly and sinful. Being immersed in a story like this one every day in rehearsals can become tough. However, the content is important to acknowledge and needs to be talked about.  

4. Why should audiences see Reckless?

Audiences should see Reckless because it is a ballet that shows the love that the Lord has for his children. We all sin and fall away from obeying the Lord, but time after time He looks for his lost sheep and forgives us every time. This ballet also raises awareness of the sad but true realities of the sex industry. I have learned a lot during the creative process of Reckless and I believe audience members will as well!