Lorianne Robertson | 12 Years of Grace
On a warm summer Monday, I walked into the studio with the realization that this was my last start of a season ever. With plans to retire in the spring of 2025, the waves of emotions began to wash over. And yet, I wanted this year to be a season of thanks and not mourning.
In reflecting on my 25 years dancing, and a 12-year professional career (all spent with Ballet 5:8), my heart is immensely thankful. I recall sitting in Julianna’s office, as a trainee from Portland, Oregon, inspired by where this woman wanted to lead the company. The thought raced through my head, “If that’s where you’re going, I want to go there too!”
What a gift it has been to trail blaze with Ballet 5:8 from their second year onward and see God prove his faithfulness again and again. I remember the first self-produced show in a theater, when we toured to New York, the first class in our giant new studios and when we first set foot on the Harris stage (a dream come true and an answered prayer for me personally). In the ups and downs, I am blessed to have climbed the mountains and seen beauty unfold. What a blessing to have danced in a community that provided safety that allowed me to thrive as an artist and truth that set me free.
Lorianne Robertson in Julianna Rubio Slager’s Butterfly
Today I think of the Passover prayer, Dayenu, in which each line begins with, “It Would Have Been Enough...” To the young dreaming teenage Lorianne, it would have been enough to have a professional career period, let alone 12 years. It would have been enough to simply perform, yet I’ve been able to perform around the nation. In such a challenging artform, it would have been enough to experience any victories on and off stage, but to see people moved in profound ways is an honor I do not take lightly.
Walking into my first professional year, I entered with the words, “give and it will be given in return”, wanting to give my first fruit to the Lord. Little did I know how accurate that verse would become. I have been given so much!
At my final curtain call, I know the sweetness will be mingled with grief. The tears mingled with laughs. The memories of hard days intertwined with victories. I am deeply honored to have this life, to know these people, and to enter a new season of being able to celebrate artists from the other side of the curtain.
Any successful career would not be so without a village. I would like to honor a few of the many beautiful souls who have poured into my technical, artistic, and spiritual life in profound ways…
Lorianne Robertson in Julianna Rubio Slager’s The Mother
Julianna Rubio Slager, who allowed me to partner in this race while showing me profound grace, inspiration, and entrusting me to perform so many life changing ballets. John Magnus, who risked investing in my training and believed in where I could go. Nancy Yeamans, who inspired me in my youth in a love of classical ballet and authentic storytelling. Sono Sato Harris, who shepherded my young heart and gave me the courage to trust God for big things. My parents, Larry and Lorna Barclay, who put a flexible girl in gymnastics and ballet, and have sacrificed, cried, and cheered for me from before my first breath. My husband and daughter, Andrew and Adley, who sacrificially love and inspire me every day. To my loving Savior, who has held me in every moment proving his faithfulness countless times.
And thank you to the Ballet 5:8 audiences who have celebrated with me for 12 years. You have shown me that no matter the depth of talent or perfection of skills, the ability to give freely on that black and bright stage is the most precious gift to share as an artist.
Cue the swan song… all glory be to Christ!
Lorianne Robertson has also costumed the majority of the ballets Ballet 5:8 has created in the past 13 years. Her genius, sensitivity and aesthetics have forever shaped the artistic vision of Ballet 5:8.