Lezlie Gray | Season in Review

One of our Ballet 5:8 traditions at the end of each performance season is to ask the artists of the company to share some reflections with us. A special thank you to the artists of the company for sharing about their experiences in the 2021/22 Season.

Lezlie Gray in rehearsal

Q. You performed many works this season! Does one stand out as the most meaningful or most notable for you personally? Why?

A. Yes, we performed so many works that I loved dancing in! It’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to pick, I would say performing as the Spring Soloist in Julianna Rubio Slager's Four Seasons of the Soul was most notable for me. It is such a technically and physically demanding role, but it’s filled with so much joy and was so fun to dance. I love classical ballet and so enjoyed getting to dance in a role that encapsulates a lot of those defining classical ballet movements and steps.

Q. What or who has inspired you this season?

A. Our Artistic Director, Julianna Slager, has inspired me this season as she leads Ballet 5:8 with such passion, excellence, and joy. It’s been inspiring to see her years of hard work and dedication to forming this company on display in this 10th Anniversary Season.

Q. What are you looking forward to next season?

A. I’m looking forward to the repertoire we’ll be performing next season, including new works by guest choreographers Matthew Rushing and Tobin James as well as a new full-length ballet by Julianna Rubio Slager based on C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces.